BLOG: Advent and Christmas,Homilies,Pope Francis
Today is January 6th, and I am thinking of the three wise men. And the three wise men make me think of distances. I was always intrigued about distances in Israel. When I read that Mary and Joseph walked from Nazareth to Bethlehem, or that Mary rode on a donkey, it’s hard to appreciate how ...read more
As we enter into a New Year, the Church celebrates the great solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. The Church also commemorates the World Day of Peace today. (You can read Pope Benedict’s message for the day, which focuses on religious freedom, here.) As we mark there two occasions, let us pray to our ...read more
Waiting.  Expecting.  Calmly expecting.  Expecting nothing else but to be with God.  Just being available for Him. Last time, I talked about how a friend’s visit inspired me into the “passive active-ness” needed to prepare for God this Christmas. But there’s someone else who inspires me.  On a regular basis.  A woman just like me ...read more
Waiting.  Expecting.  Calmly expecting.  Expecting nothing else but to be with God.  Just being available for Him. For almost two months, I have been focusing on what this is like as I reflected on Christ’s coming this Christmas.  This mode of silent, almost “passive active-ness” was inspired by a visit from a friend. Three weeks ...read more
Pope Benedict delivered his Urbi et Orbi — to the City (of Rome) and to the World — today at noon, Rome time.  The traditional message and blessing is given Christmas and Easter.  The theme of the message is The Word became flesh, and throughout his greeting the Holy Father stressed that God is with ...read more
The coming of the Lord can have no objective other than to teach us to see and love events, the world, and everything that surrounds us with the very eyes of God. The Word-become-a-child helps us to understand God’s way of acting, so that we will be capable of allowing ourselves to be transformed increasingly ...read more
Pope Benedict has celebrated Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican.  You can see an encore presentation on Salt + Light at 11pm ET /8pm PT.  See the unofficial translation of the Holy Father’s homily below: Dear Brothers and Sisters! “You are my son, this day I have begotten you” – with this passage from Psalm ...read more
The Nativity, it’s the most famous childbirth of all time, immortalized in hundreds of different artistic representations. One of those representations are Nativity plays.  I remember my junior kindergarten class’ Nativity play like it was yesterday. I was cast as Mary and was barely visible underneath my pale blue garments. I was absolutely over the ...read more
There’s a 93-year old, 100-foot-tall Norway Spruce in St. Peter’s Square these days. It’s the Vatican’s Christmas tree for this year. The spruce, along with 50 other trees, have been donated by the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. Speaking to a delegation from the diocese, the Pope says the tree is a significant symbol of the light ...read more
Salt + Light Television presents a series of blogs reflecting on Advent and Christmas by Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, Bishop William McGrattan, and Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB.  The series will look at Mary, Joseph, the Word Made Flesh, and the Magi, and will be spread over the next two weeks.  We ...read more