I grew up feasting on stories, and still do as part of a religious community. Stories of success and heartbreak. Of laughter and tears. They feed our hearts and our imaginations. They fire us up. It is who we are.
On the feast of the Holy Innocents, I think of the faces of the children killed in Uvalde, Texas. Earlier this year, their photos were an unrelenting, "in your face" testament to the plague of gun violence in the U.S.
Early on, Jesus called us to come and follow him, telling us we could do all he did and more, inviting us to leave all the nonsense and walk on water with him. Let’s pick up our incarnation.
Horizons - Since the start of Advent, I have been reflecting on the mystery of God becoming human — the first Christmas. The feast of Christmas invites us to become vulnerable, to join with the vulnerable.
We each have something unique and essential to share with the world. We won't find that present under the Christmas tree, but do not be fooled. It is within us just waiting to be unwrapped.
Christmas is our best hope to tell our story of good news. Let's not jeopardize this annual opportunity by channeling Scrooge, but rather proclaim, with the angels: "Glory to God in the highest!"
When you hear Christmas, what comes to mind? Parties and presents? Travel and short-staffed offices? Concerts and pageants? Hymns and all-too-familiar Scripture readings? In my experience, Christmas is too romanticized.
Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us that we are not called to be lone prophets saving the world on our own. Rather, we are called to recognize that each issue or event affects each and every one of us at some level.
Our Dominican community is trying to live the spirit of Advent, preparing our hearts to welcome the coming of Christ of the world by going to meet the poor workers in the neighborhood where they live.
The Ukrainian people have entered a time of blackout. So that our light is not only external, but comes from the heart, the Basilian sisters continue to pray, volunteer and help, even in the dark.
We are now witnessing a world that is in a fragile state, where there are poor and neglected women, children and girls. As UNANIMA International, we want to raise our voices and proclaim that things must be different.
Horizons - Four Catholic sisters spent a month serving at our migrant aid center in Nogales, Mexico. As I watched them build community together, I saw visions of what religious life has been, is, and is becoming.
As Mahatma Gandhi showed India and the world, nonviolence is the weapon that can win — that can conquer and take us forward. Violence will only breed hatred and enmity. Our world needs this nonviolent movement.
Since 2017, when the Africa Faith and Justice Network trained and mobilized Catholic sisters to tackle the menace of human trafficking, grassroots engagement has empowered local communities make change.
I am so grateful for Sister Bridget's friendship and pray that God continues to bless all these women and men of God who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the service of others.
In the Advent journey toward Bethlehem, I hit the road with a group of students — the Ambassadors of Hope — to drive home for them the messages: "Giving is better than receiving" and "Earth is our common home."
Horizons - This time of waiting and reflection prepares us for the promise of Christmas. Yet, it might also invite us to reconceive of the way in which we prepare to welcome that new life into our lives and our world.
When we accompany, it is the other person who leads the walk. We are happy to stay close, to give support, making our presence felt to encourage, motivating them when they are weary, lost and neglected.
