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“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.” -Psalms 139:13-14 Continue reading →

The Second Station: Jesus Carries the Cross We all have our crosses to carry, those hidden battles we fight when we think no one else is looking. How easy it is to become so focused on my battles, my problems, my cross that I forget to look to those around me. Rich or poor, shy or outgoing, near or far, doesn’t it stand to reason that each of us fights our own hidden battles? Continue reading →

Imagine Jesus where we meet him in this Sunday’s Gospel: after 40 days of fasting in the desert. How hungry and thirsty Jesus must have been during this time! And this is exactly why the devil chooses this time to tempt him. Are we familiar with this scenario? Examine those times you’ve felt tempted; often, it’s those times when we are so desperately hungry to achieve or acquire the things of this world that we forget about God. Continue reading →

The Third Station: Jesus Falls for the First Time How many of us know someone who has fallen-fallen on hard times, on difficulties in a relationship, on a moment of doubt and challenge? How many of us are ourselves in such a moment? Continue reading →

St. Cajetan, patron of job seekers and the unemployed (1480–1557) Many of us may know the kind of job we want to have or where we would like to work, but how often do we think about the work God is asking us to do? St. Cajetan, born to a noble Italian family, began his career as a lawyer. But God was calling him to something more. Cajetan turned down government positions and instead went to Rome to study to become a priest. Cajetan felt called in a special way to work with the poor and sick. Continue reading →

In last Sunday’s Gospel, we met Jesus in a time of desperation; he had been fasting for 40 days in the desert. Much like Jesus at the time of this temptation, residents of the developing world are desperate to fulfill their basic needs. Continue reading →

How often do we, like Peter, try to hold tight to a special moment or a feeling of joy? Something so spectacular has happened that we just don’t want it to end! It’s human nature to want to dwell in these times; after all, God gives them to us as a gift. But Jesus encourages us: “Rise, and do not be afraid.” Such awesome moments will come again, but we must go down from these mountainous peaks into the valley of life. Continue reading →

“When one of your kindred is reduced to poverty and becomes indebted to you, you shall support that person …” -Leviticus 25:35 Continue reading →

The Fourth Station: Jesus Encounters His Mother What must Mary have been thinking, standing there in the midst of suffering, looking at her son? What pain must have been in her heart? What doubt? And yet, we know that she followed Christ until the end and beyond, being present to his friends, comforting them in their fear, encouraging them as the young Church grew. Mary’s desire to love and serve God overcame the suffering she encountered. Continue reading →

This week, we travel up the mountain with Peter, James and John, and see Jesus transfigured before us into his divine form. What hope this vision gives to us! As we see Jesus suffer crucifixion and death in the coming weeks, we understand that this suffering is not the end, but the route to his true glory, as willed by God the Father. Continue reading →