If there is one thing that is a guarantee during Lent it’s that there will be plenty of new faith enriching books to choose from. Some of those books set themselves apart with the topics they cover. A few of them are that original that they could be read outside of the Lenten season for enrichment. Margaret Rose Realy has given one of those books in her book Cultivating God’s Garden Through Lent. What really set this book apart was how... Read more
Put things right before you ask for forgiveness When St. Gregory the Great was pope, the government in Dalmatia ordained a bishop named Maximus to the See of Salona, setting aside the bishop who had been legitimately elected. The governor of the province wanted to be reconciled with the pope, but Gregory tells him that he can’t expect forgiveness while he’s still participating in the evil. I have received your highness’s letter, in which you speak of having provoked my... Read more
PETE: You now have released 3 titles in your Bringing Lent Home series. The first focused on Mother Teresa, the second St. Therese of Lisiuex and now St. John Paul II. What was your inspiration behind creating these wonderful volumes for family Lenten reflection? DONNA-MARIE COOPER O’BOYLE: Thanks for asking, Pete. Being a mother of five, I realize the importance of teaching our children the tenants of the faith. Christian parents, are, after all, the first and foremost educators. It’s... Read more
Judge yourself, not your neighbors In poetic rhythms that recall the ancient Hebrew Psalms, St. Ephrem the Syrian warns us not to look for faults in our neighbors. If we’re so keen on righteousness, we should be judging ourselves. Do not look for the faults of your friend. Do not repeat the shortcomings of your neighbors in your talk. You are not the judge of creation. You do not have dominion over the earth. If you love righteousness, admonish your... Read more
Learn the lesson of the grapevine and the elm Some are rich and some are poor. Who’s better off ? As Hermas learns in one of his visions, the rich need the poor even more than the poor need the rich. “Do you see the elm and the grapevine?” he said. “I see them, sir,” I replied. “This grapevine,” he continued, “produces fruit, and the elm is a fruitless tree. But unless the vine is trained on the elm, it... Read more
Think of the future People who live in wealth are not really fortunate, says St. John Chrysostom. We need to take a long-term view when we’re deciding who is really happy. Robbers lie in wait in the way and plunder travelers, and hide the wealth of others in their own lurking-places, caves or dens. Do not think they are happy on account of the present, but miserable on account of the future—the fearful judgment, the inevitable account to be rendered,... Read more
This week publisher Ave Maria Press sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of each of the Bringing Home Lent series (Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa, Bringing Lent Home with St. Therese of Lisieux, and Bringing Lent Home with St. John Paul II) by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM... Read more
Feed the poor and you feed Christ St. Ephrem the Syrian tells us that the poor are Christ visiting us in disguise. When the poor bless us for our kindness, Christ himself is blessing us. Love poverty. Desire neediness. If you have both for your portion, you have an inheritance on high. Do not despise the voice of the poor man, and do not give him reason to curse you. For if the man whose palate is bitter curses you,... Read more
This is a dual review by both my wife Laura and I. The first part of this review focuses on Laura’s review of Bringing Lent Home with St. Therese of Lisieux: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Families released in 2014. The second part is my review of Bringing Lent Home with St. John Paul II: Prayers, Reflections, and Activities for Families released in 2015. Both are by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. God has many ways to help us grow closer to... Read more
Ill-gotten gains make wicked gifts Can you buy repentance with the fruits of your sin? No, says Commodianus: God rejects gifts that come from the proceeds of your sin and injustice. Why do you senselessly pretend to be good by the wound of another? Because of what you give, another is weeping every day. Do you think the Lord does not see these things from heaven? One gives gifts so that he may impoverish another. Or if you have lent... Read more
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