Obscure but still important Much of what we know about apostles Jude and Simon is who they are not. Simon was called the Zealot—someone passionate, and perhaps revolutionary, about his Jewish faith. Calling him the Zealot also helped to distinguish him from the more famous Simon Peter. We find Jude (along with Judas, variant translations of […]

Prayerful words from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, written by NACC member Lisa Ecks: “May the wilderness of this time, and the uncertainty we may feel, strengthen our resolve to lean on your word, abide in your presence, and be guided by your enduring and powerful Spirit.” The NACC helps priests, religious women, and […]

Slow down, you’re moving too fast Too many people work too much. Some have a psychological compulsion to work incessantly. Some work excessively to acquire money and success. Some have no identity outside of their jobs. Some are driven by guilt and fear of being lazy. Some think that an overly busy work life makes […]

Let your light shine! As a young man, Anthony Claret was torn between his talent in the textile business and the emerging call he felt to religious life. Seeing his talent, his father offered to share leadership of the family business with him. Anthony was famously short of stature, and he pointed out that workers […]

Fly back when the time is right The cliff swallows of San Juan Capistrano, California depart the mission town on or around this date, the Memorial of Saint John, the town’s namesake. They return every spring after their 6,000-mile winter migration to Argentina. Pray that, like the swallows of Capistrano, everyone will be able to […]

“Be Prepared” is a motto for the Boy and Girl Scouts that is explained in this way: “You are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.” That motto could very well be a motto for Christian life. Jesus expects his followers to be alert to the assistance of […]

How deep is your love? Paul of the Cross, Italian mystic and founder of the Passionist religious order in 1725, was taught by his mother to look to the crucified Jesus as a way to make sense out of suffering. Most of his siblings died; his father’s business barely scraped by. But no matter what […]

Share the suffering, ease the burden People in love behave differently. They “never stand still,” Pope Francis declares. “They’re drawn out of themselves; they’re attracted and attract others in turn.” Believers are lovers in this way, feeling the irresistible urge to share the blessings of faith. That is why, the pope concludes, we must all […]