We are asked in faith to attempt to experience the same during this Lent. We are invited to strip away comforts, lessen our dependence on things that make us feel good, and deny our use of whatever makes us feel safe and secure.
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What is the difference between ‘fasting’ and ‘abstinence’?
Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26 and Good Friday on April 10. In addition, all Catholics 14 and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday. But what is the difference between “abstinence” and “fasting”?
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We are all sinners and in need of God’s mercy
How have we grown? How have we changed? Did we experience God’s mercy and forgiveness in any noticeable way this Lent? Were we a little less judgmental of others this Lent?
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Mercy for the merciful
Jesus calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Not seven times, but seventy times seven times. In other words, every time. And we cannot be stingy or grudging in our mercy. The measure we give is the measure we will get back.
Continue readingA Lenten return to Jesus
In these 40 days of Lent, I want to call us — myself first of all — to deepen our sense of the mystery of our lives in Christ. I want us to try to go deeper in our personal conversion, deeper into the heart of the Gospels and the New Testament writings.
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Jesus offers more than just good advice
Today, Jesus gives us some good advice. But this is not just good advice; it is, rather, an insightful look at what it takes or what is required to produce real goodness in life.
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Archbishop José H. Gomez’s statement on the conclusion of the Vatican meeting on the protection of minors in the church
I followed this week’s summit at the Vatican closely and I am inspired by Pope Francis’ commitment to eliminate the evil of child abuse from the global church and the wider global society
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