Posted by Carol Johnson on 9/14/25
The recently canonized St. Pier Giorgio Frassati lived in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, people had to choose between being a good Italian or a Catholic. People who made the Sign of the Cross were called morons. St. Pier Giorgio Frassati had the ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 9/07/25
If you think about it in modern terms, the Lord was one of the biggest "influencers" of His time in Israel, due to His significant credibility and substantial audience. Every time He performed a miracle, more people approached Him and wanted to follow Him. In this Sunday's Gospel, we ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 9/01/25
It's no wonder the Lord is the best event planner. Today’s Gospel from St. Luke describes an occasion when the Lord dined at the home of a leading Pharisee. As they always did, the Pharisees observed everything the Lord said and did at dinner. But, as the Lord always ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 8/24/25
As a child, I would occasionally see homeless people in my hometown. Many had mental problems. As children, they can frighten us. I vividly remember watching from my elementary school playground as a homeless man tried to get into a house. The door was narrow, and he could not ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 8/18/25
Anna Maria was the eldest daughter of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She had a short life, 17 years. Like her father, Anna Maria died of tuberculosis. Of St. Elizabeth Ann’s five children, Anna Maria was one of the two who died in her lifetime. Anna Maria learned to love ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 8/18/25
The first reading from the First Book of Chronicles (vigil Mass) tells us about the entry of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This occurred during the time of King David (10th century BC). It was a spectacular celebration. The Ark had been built in the desert approximately ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 8/11/25
Today's Gospel reading highlights the virtue of vigilance. Pope Francis said that the vigilance the Lord asks of his disciples is continual, so that “we can understand God’s transition in one’s life because God continually passes through life." The Lord says, "Gird your loins and light your lamps." These ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 8/04/25
In today's Gospel reading, the Lord exhorts his disciples to turn away from greed. St. Thomas Aquinas defined greed as "the unreasonable or immoderate desire for riches." Desiring money is not bad. Money is a necessity to obtain goods and services for our lives and for the lives of ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 7/28/25
In today's Gospel reading, the Lord teaches his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer. The Lord then presents two parables to teach important aspects of prayer. One parable is about a man who goes at midnight to ask a friend for bread to feed someone who has come from ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 7/21/25
Today's Gospel reading about the hospitality offered to the Lord by the two sisters Martha and Mary is paired with a reading from the Book of Genesis in which we are presented with the beautiful example of Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality. During the mysterious visit of these three travelers ... Read More »