A Word of Hope

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, noting how Jesus learned obedience from his suffering (Hebrews 5:1-10), asks us to think about what we learn from our own suffering, because it has much to teach us.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, citing the prophet Isaiah, reminds us that it is too small a thing for God's blessings to stop with us. The blessings we receive are meant to pass through us to reach the entire world.

Fr. Brian Walker, OP reminds us of the Good News—that God is ready to help us do what is seemingly impossible.

Fr. Brian Walker, OP reminds us that, two and a half years into the pandemic, we still need to be amazed by Jesus and to know that God can heal us.

Br. Joe Trout, OP reminds us that if we only know the works of God, and not the ways of God, we really don't know God.

Br. Joe Trout, OP points out that, in the incarnation, Jesus became dependent on others. As we look at our own life, can we embrace our own dependency on others? On God?

Welcoming us back into Ordinary Time, Fr. Luke Barder, OP challenges that we cannot access our own worth, and we should strive to see ourselves and others as God sees us.... all of infinite value.

Fr. Luke Barder, OP celebrates the Baptism of the Lord, which reveals that we see the divine by looking at ourselves.

On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, when Christ was revealed to all the nations, Fr. James Marchionda, OP challenges us to be a part of the inclusivity that God intends for all people.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, recalling Jesus' first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana, done only because his mother pushed him into it, asks us also to do what we might rather not out of love for others.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP compares being baptized in the Holy Spirit to being completely enveloped in love, and asks us to look for those moments when it happens in our own lives, and to help others experience this deep connection.

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP looks at that moment when Nathaniel could have been turned against Jesus, wondering "what good can come out of Nazareth?" But his friend Andrew convinces him to remain open to Jesus. In the same way, do we use our words to foster divisions or to build bridges?

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP, reminds us that God calls us as we are, with all of our limitations, failings, and blunders, because we are called "blessed" and "sacred" by God, and are temples of the Holy Spirit just as we are.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP reminds us that if we live out our faith, all the ends of the earth will indeed see the saving power of God.

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP, recalling the friendship of the great theologians being celebrated today, Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, reminds us all to celebrate today the friendships God has put in our lives.

Fr. Donald Goergen, OP, recalling what a blessing the Mother of God is for all of us, asks us to recall and be grateful for all of the blessings that God has showered on each of us, and to commit to extending those blessings to others.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, reading from the Prologue of John's Gospel that Jesus is the Light come into the world, asks us to become a part of that light, with the promise that the darkness, though never going away completely, cannot overcome us.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP, recalling the chaos of the first Christmas, when the Holy Family had to flee for their lives, thanks God that he does not know what this feels like, and asks us all to commit to helping those who do.

Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP asks each of us to think about what it would take so that we could say, along with Simeon, that we could die in peace because our mission in the world was accomplished?

Fr. Yamil Samalot Rivera, OP, on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, reminds us that all of our lives need to be dedicated entirely to the good of humanity.

Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP brings the Good News for today—that in the Christian life, we strive to bring love into the world, and that brings about joy. While our joy is only partial here, it will find its fullness in heaven.

Br. Edward Van Merrienboer, OP reminds us, after the example of St. Stephen, protomartyr, to go out and give witness to the love of God we have encountered at Christmas.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, recalling the Prologue of John's Gospel, points out that to see a Christmas miracle, we only need to realize that God is born in each of our hearts every day, and then live like we believe that together, we are the Body of Christ.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, recalling how David wanted to build God a temple and God said "no," reminds us that we do not have to make Christmas "special" —that is God's job.
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