Jesus and Mary never sinned, and Joseph was a righteous man. ‘We can’t compete with that!’ And we are not meant to.

Family life is not always serene. It can be complicated, strenuous, and painful.

John, the beloved disciple, was forever changed by his years alongside Jesus.

What the Church holds up for us to behold on the day after the glorious birth of the Messiah is the Spirit in the Church, the Spirit in this suddenly courageous disciple, that will not be stifled or silenced, no matter what consequences await.

This Christmas, the Lord is inviting us to lay aside those honors we give ourselves, to leave aside every trace of pridefulness.

Christ too is a sacrament, a sign of a deeper mystery.

Through the birth of Jesus, we welcome hope, coming into the world in the form of a little infant, full of grace and truth.

I am most grateful to my dad for teaching me the true meaning of Christmas and the Incarnation.

Mary and Joseph didn’t know all the struggles they’d go through, but they trusted in the Lord.

Through grace, we see the fractured relationship of our first parents after the Fall, marked by lust, domination, and miscommunication, healed in the relationship between Mary and Joseph.

God speaks to each of us in a variety of ways - sometimes strange ways.

How could we be coherent with what we know about God and the marvels God works in our lives?

And as in days of old, so now: God often speaks in silence.

God gave us the gift of a voice to proclaim the truth and love of God in the world.

Are we defensive or generous with the power we've been given?

The bread we choose to give to one or to many in need in loving kindness is itself a gift from God, a saving grace.

St. James wants to remind us that our faith will necessarily lead us to do good, to act on behalf of those who are suffering, but also to trust when something is not quite going my way.

I doubt very many people think of the crucifixion when looking at the nativity scene!

Trust that when we direct everything to Christ, we will bear abundant, lasting fruit.