Guest House Daily Reflections
HOPE: how we and our world need it! Unlike the Old Testament where hope focused on a future Messiah, New Testament hope is firmly rooted in Jesus’ accomplished resurrection and his promise to be with us until the end of time (Mt 28:20). In his first letter St. Peter proclaims this clearly: “Blessed be the […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
HOPE: how we and our world need it! Some of the Bible’s most consoling, quoted words are from Jeremiah the prophet: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (11:29). We often think these words promise a bright, […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
HOPE: how we and our world need it! What is HOPE? Many think it’s optimism – like the expression: “Don’t worry; things will get better.” Optimism is a personality trait of some people, but it’s not always grounded in reality (things don’t always get better). Hope is a virtue, not a personality trait. Along with […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
HOPE: how we and our world need it! September: summer is over; autumn begins. There’s beauty, but we know it won’t last. It’ll soon give way to barrenness, colder and shorter days. Don’t we often wish summer’s warmth and beauty could last forever? We need September to remind us what LIFE is all about: like […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
On August 9, 1945, another atomic bomb was dropped, on Nagasaki. Since the 16th century Nagasaki was the heart of Japanese Catholicism; it was called the “Rome of Japan.” It had been the site of torture and crucifixion for thousands of Japanese Catholics who refused to give up their faith. The bomb detonated over the […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
In Gal 2:19-20 St Paul tells us the awesome, transfiguring dignity that comes from our baptism and ongoing immersion in Christ’s sacramental life: “I have been crucified with Christ and so I live, but it’s no longer merely me, but Christ who lives in me. Insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
In the Eastern Church the icon of the Transfiguration is the most important icon. It’s the icon of all icons in the sense that the same light that shone through Christ’s human flesh on Mount Tabor is meant to be reflected in every icon. Just as Christ’s divinity shone through the veil of his flesh […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
When the bomb fell on Hiroshima, Jesuit Pedro Arrupe was living only miles away, with young Japanese novices. They ministered tirelessly to the horrific sufferings of survivors. He later wrote, “In spite of this powerful weapon and any other that comes, we have a power much greater: the Heart of Christ. While atomic energy destroys […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
Captain Robert Lewis co-piloted ENOLA GAY, the plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Following the blast he scribbled in a notebook, “My God, what have we done? It just seems impossible to comprehend. . . How many people did we kill? If I live a hundred years I’ll never get out of my mind […]
Guest House Daily Reflections
There is no transfiguration without transformation. The same Greek word is used for both realities. St Paul says, ”Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your minds, so you may discern what is God’s will, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2). The atomic bombs dropped […]