Learning to be Quick to Listen

The Catholic Church stands as both a visible communion and a living voice of Christ's authority in the world. This authority did not disappear when Jesus ascended into heaven; rather, it was shared and entrusted to the apostles , and through them, to their successors. When Jesus gave the Twelve power over unclean spirits and instructed them to heal and teach, he was not merely granting them abilities, but embedding within them the mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God with divine authority (Matt. 10:1, 5–7). Jesus even underscored this when he said, “He who hears you hears me” ( Luke 10:16 ). This foundational act established a Church not of human invention, but of divine institution, through which Christ continues to speak, teach, and govern. For Catholics, this means faith is not an individual, isolated experience, but a relationship within the living Body of Christ, guided by those appointed to teach in his name. Saint Bonaventure , the great Franciscan theologian, affirmed t...

The College of Cardinals is set to convene on May 7, 2025, in the Vatican to begin the conclave following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. This conclave will be historic , as it marks the first since the introduction of a nominal maximum of 120 cardinal electors, with 135 eligible participants. The cardinals will be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel, adhering to centuries-old traditions, including casting secret ballots until a new pope is elected. To be elected, a candidate requires a two-thirds supermajority of the participating electors. Prior to the conclave, the cardinals will engage in general congregations to discuss the needs of the Church and the world. These meetings allow the cardinals to get to know each other and exercise their spiritual discernment, as many have never met due to Pope Francis not holding meetings of cardinals before his papal consistories. The discussions will be guided by reflections from distinguished clerics and will address major issues facing...

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa , as the Preacher to the Papal Household , offers profound insights into the heart of the Christian faith, particularly during the liturgical seasons. His reflections on the Passion of Christ, especially during Good Friday, provide a lens through which we can understand the significance of Easter's unfolding, and by extension, our understanding of the Papacy. Cantalamessa's sermons often emphasize the radical nature of God's love, revealed in the self-sacrificing act of Jesus on the cross. He constantly draws attention to the fact that Gods power is shown through love and humility, and not through worldly power. This is very important when considering the role of the Pope. His teachings consistently illuminate the idea that the power of Christianity, is in the act of giving one's self. The first Friday of Easter, within the context of Cantalamessa's teachings, serves as a continuation of the profound mystery of Christ's sacrifice ...

The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...

On April 21, 2025, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a figure who had become a beacon of compassion for the Catholic Church and beyond. Elected in 2013, Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, was the first Pope from the Americas, heralding a new era for the Church. His papacy was marked by a focus on the poor, a call for environmental stewardship, and a dedication to building bridges between different faiths. His humility, his common touch, and his progressive stances on social issues resonated with people across the globe, earning him admiration from both within and outside the Catholic faith. The news of his death reverberated around the world, triggering an outpouring of grief and reflection. World leaders, religious figures, and ordinary people paid tribute to his legacy, celebrating his tireless work for a more just and peaceful world. The College of Cardinals will now convene to elect his successor, a moment of profound significance fo...

Holy Wednesday, often called Spy Wednesday , holds a somber place in Holy Week. It is the day we recall Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. This act, driven by motives that have been debated for centuries, set in motion the events of the Passion . The Gospels suggest a confluence of factors, including the influence of Satan and Judas's own greed. Some scholars have even proposed that Judas believed he was helping Jesus fulfill his messianic destiny , though this interpretation is often disputed due to Judas's deliberate actions in identifying Jesus to the authorities. The betrayal itself was a carefully planned act. The Jewish authorities sought to arrest Jesus discreetly, fearing a public disturbance during the Passover feast. Judas's role as a "spy" became crucial, as he sought the opportune moment to hand Jesus over. This moment arrived on Thursday night, during the Passover meal. Jesus, aware of the impending betrayal, kept th...

Holy Monday of Holy Week , while often less liturgically emphasized than later days, serves as a crucial entry point into the most solemn and revered week of the Church year. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, the entire week is a commemoration of the "saving work of her divine Spouse" (CCC 1163), drawing us into the mystery of Christ's Passion. On this day, the Church begins to focus with increasing intensity on the events leading to the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a time for deep reflection, prayer, and a turning away from the distractions of daily life to contemplate the profound love of God. The events of Holy Monday, though seemingly less dramatic, are important in setting the stage for the Triduum. They often include accounts of Jesus's actions and teachings that reveal his authority and foreshadow the coming conflict with the religious authorities. For example, the cleansing of the temple, an event often ass...

The Friday before Palm Sunday serves as a crucial threshold, a day to intentionally shift our hearts and minds as we approach the intense and emotionally charged journey of Holy Week. While our Catholic faith is rooted in truth and reason, it also acknowledges the profound impact of encountering the God who is love on our emotions. This final Friday of Lent invites us to delve into the complex emotional landscape that preceded Christ's Passion, preparing us to more fully accompany him through the triumphs of Palm Sunday and the agonizing events that follow. By consciously engaging our feelings, we can better place ourselves within the narrative, recognizing our own human desires for a savior, our capacity for both adoration and betrayal, and our need for redemption. As we stand on the edge of Holy Week , let us heed the call to emotional engagement. If we cannot recognize our own "confused desires for a savior," those moments when we seek deliverance in fleeting comfo...

In times of overwhelming darkness, God's providence often shines through the lives of extraordinary individuals – saints sent to meet the specific needs of their era. Saint Faustina Kowalska stands as a powerful testament to this truth. Born in Poland on the cusp of unimaginable cruelty, her life became a beacon of Divine Mercy in a world teetering towards unprecedented mercilessness. Like those saints throughout history willing to atone for the sins of others through their own suffering, Faustina embraced this calling with heroic dedication, a willingness vividly chronicled in her profound Diary . From a young age, Faustina, then Helen Kowalska, experienced a deep connection with the divine, hearing God's voice in her soul. Despite an initial youthful diversion towards worldly pleasures, a powerful encounter with Jesus during a dance reignited her calling to religious life. Obedient to a subsequent divine instruction, she journeyed to Warsaw and entered the Sisters of Our ...

The Gospel account of Jesus' betrayal and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane is a pivotal moment in salvation history, a stark display of human frailty juxtaposed with divine resolve. As John's Gospel recounts, Jesus, having shared the Last Supper with his disciples, led them across the Kidron Valley to a familiar garden, a place often frequented for prayer and fellowship. Tragically, this sanctuary became the stage for betrayal as Judas, one of his own chosen twelve, arrived with a detachment of soldiers and temple guards, their lanterns and torches piercing the night. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 607) highlights that "at the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood ," setting the immediate context for the events that followed. In this tense encounter, Jesus, fully aware of the impending suffering, steps forward with a profound dignity and control. His simple question, "Wh...

To all those preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults ( OCIA ), take heart in the profound message of renewal that this sacred season embodies. As you stand on the threshold of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist, remember the powerful words echoed throughout scripture and the teachings of our Church: what’s past is past. Like the woman at the well , whose past was known by Christ yet met with compassion and an invitation to a new life, you too are embraced by a God of boundless mercy. The Lord does not condemn you for the paths you have walked, the choices you have made. Instead, He offers a clean slate, a fresh start bathed in the light of His resurrection. Pope Saint John Paul the Great, in his profound wisdom, often spoke of the transformative power of God's forgiveness . He emphasized that while sin is a reality that wounds both ourselves and the Body of Christ, God's love is always greater, always ready ...

In the quiet corners of Nazareth, amidst the sawdust and the scent of freshly cut wood, Joseph , the earthly father of Jesus, played a pivotal role in the unfolding of salvation history . More than just a carpenter, he was a guardian, a protector, and a teacher. As Matthew 2:24 tells us, "When he awoke, Joseph did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." This obedience, this willingness to embrace the daunting task of raising the Messiah, highlights Joseph's unwavering faith. By providing a safe haven, a stable home, he allowed Jesus to flourish, to grow in wisdom and stature, preparing him for the monumental ministry that lay ahead. Joseph's faithful protection shielded the young Jesus from Herod's wrath, ensuring the divine plan could unfold. Joseph's influence extended beyond physical protection . His hands, calloused from years of labor, taught Jesus the dignity of work, the value of honest toil. In the simple act of ...