Prayer & Reflection - December 10, 2022 - As we continue on our Advent journey, we seem to be racing toward Christmas and the gifts of newborn hope, joy and optimism that await us through the holy celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus — in just two weeks! Christmas is also a sobering reminder that our Savior and King of the…

Prayer & Reflection - December 7, 2022 - “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The end of a long shift, a long day, a long trip, a long week…how many times do we feel burdened, seeking nothing more than to set down our load, breathe slowly, and close our eyes? The sweet rest…

Prayer & Reflection - December 6, 2022 - Give comfort to my people! Recently at the multi-cultured parish where I serve as Pastoral Administrator, one of our young men from Togo introduced to me a couple from Togo in our gathering area after Mass. Very early that same morning, their 4-year-old son had suddenly died. The family was resettled by an agency in…

Prayer & Reflection - December 2, 2022 - The Mass readings Advent have always been favorites of mine for the themes they frequently address, particularly God’s great reversals – where the proud and mighty are cast down and the lowly lifted up – as well as God’s restoring to wholeness those who suffer in this world. In today’s readings, both the Prophet Isaiah…

Prayer & Reflection - November 29, 2022 - We are in the first week of the New Year! We have in a very real way a chance to start again. Given all that is surrounding us, I need the Scriptures to direct my heart, actions and words. Today’s first reading from Isaiah ranks among my favorites: They in their day, and we in…

Prayer & Reflection - April 10, 2022 - “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!” For some, the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in the Gospels are beautiful stories of an event experienced by the disciples long ago. We believe that Jesus has risen from the dead based on these accounts, but do we realize resurrection’s implications in our own lives?…

Prayer & Reflection - March 12, 2022 - Unprovoked war? Ongoing pandemic? Irreversible climate change? Increasing homelessness, violence and addiction? This Lent begins with menacing global and local darkness. Living in Arizona, the reminder “the LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land” is tacit as we anticipate an alarmingly hot summer. Despite troubles, “He will renew…

Prayer & Reflection - December 25, 2021 - CCUSA’s Daily Advent Reflections: Christmas Day For many of us, the cards have been sent and received, the gifts wrapped and now opened, the meal around the table perhaps still anticipated. We have sung the carols of rejoicing in our parishes. But what does this confounding mystery of incarnational love mean for us, going forward…

Prayer & Reflection - February 7, 2017 - Opening Prayer Living God, you freed the people of Israel from cruel slavery in Egypt and led them to a promised land “flowing with milk and honey.” We ask you to liberate today all the children, women, and men who are enslaved by the cruel yoke of human trafficking in our nation, and around the…

Prayer & Reflection - October 20, 2016 - Opening Prayer Merciful God, to whom the secrets of the heart lie open, who recognize the just and make righteous the guilty, hear our prayers for our brothers and sisters held in prison; grant that through patience and hope they may find relief in their affliction and soon return unhindered to their families. Through our…

Prayer & Reflection - August 9, 2016 - Opening Prayer O God, who willed that our infirmities be borne by your only begotten son to show the value of human suffering, listen to our prayers for our brothers and sisters who are sick; grant them the grace to offer their pain in union with Christ. We ask this through the same Christ, our…

Prayer & Reflection - March 21, 2016 - Leader: O God, come to my assistance.All: O Lord, make haste to help me.Leader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.All: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.Leader: God has done great things for her, and holy is God’s name. Reading I…