Perspective

In a weary world, his unapologetic joy reveals the bold hope Christmas demands of us. (Photo courtesy of Elf 's Facebook page) Those who know me know that I am obsessed with the movie Elf . Like I can quote the whole thing obsessed. It’s a weird thing to admit in writing, in a Catholic magazine, I know, but stay with me. Beyond how absolutely hilarious I’ve always found the movie to be, and the magic of New York City at Christmastime, there’s something deeper that’s always caught my...

Tired of warning signs and alarm bells over television content? Korean drama may just provide your family and you with a friendlier alternative. (Photo: Lightstock) I recently viewed the Korean drama, “Lovely Runner,” which took me on an emotional rollercoaster through its tale of a fan traveling through time to save her Korean pop idol's life and change both their destinies. Across 16 episodes, I laughed, raged and bawled my eyes out, and I did so without sitting through a single gratuitous...

Even in life's mess and disappointment, Advent teaches us to hope again — not in what we can control, but in the God who has already come to save us. (Photo: Lightstock) Isn’t it interesting that every year, the weeks between November 28th and December 26th look completely different from the rest of the year? The Christmas season, religious or not, transforms everything: the décor in our homes, the parties on our calendars, the outfits we wear and the media we consume. On one hand, it’s...

(Photo: Unsplash) Surveys indicate that reading books is dropping precipitously across all age groups. This is a tragedy in itself; it’s also a social disaster, as a post-literate society risks becoming a post-rational society. All the more reason, then, to consider giving books for Christmas: books that entertain, inform, and open new horizons of understanding. Here are eleven suggestions, including recent publications and what the Sixties radio DJs used to call “oldies but goodies”: Jeeves...

Why prayer isn’t supposed to look like panic — and how to rediscover its peace. La Religieuse (The Nun) by Henriette Browne. 1859 Oil on canvas. Height: 92.4 cm (36.3 in), width: 73.6 cm (28.9 in). National Inventory of Continental European Paintings. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain) It was several years ago, so I couldn’t tell you now what I was working on when I went searching for reference photos of someone in prayer. I only remember typing...

A missionary tradition can become a powerful way to cultivate gratitude and recognize God’s presence in your daily life. (Photo courtesy of Christ in the City) “Lord, thank you for 36 pounds of honey …” “Jesus, thank you for getting to see Michael on street ministry today…” “Father, thank you for your calm in the storm…” When I was a missionary with Christ in the City in Denver, the “Thanksgiving Rosary” was a staple of community life. At the end of each day, we’d gather as a community in...

(Photo: Lightstock) “What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:6 Western society has lived in open revolt against authority and tradition since the 1960s. Among the many causes and dispositions that underlie this societal rebellion, ingratitude stands at the very top. Just as a teenager might retort to their parents, so our society has said to our cultural heritage and faith: “I don’t need you. I know better than you. It’s time to get rid of the outdated ways of doing...

Christ sent us to make disciples of all nations — including our own communities. Voting is one of the simplest ways to help the Gospel take root. (Photo: Lightstock) 5:43 p.m. Mr. Benedict (my dog) and I were in the middle of our evening walk when it hit me: it was election day. I had just over an hour to fill out my ballot and drop it off. 5:44 p.m. I kicked my pace up to a jog. Mr. Benny gnawed at the leash and growled the entire way home (he doesn’t like it when we run). 5:49 p.m. I slung...

St. Michael's Square in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo: Unsplash) Prior to the “Revolution of Dignity” that began on the Maidan, Kyiv’s Independence Square, in late 2013 and eventually gave birth to the country that has amazed the world with its courage, resilience, and ingenuity since the Russian invasion of February 2022, ecumenical dialogue and interreligious cooperation were not prominent features of the Ukrainian cultural landscape. The Maidan experience changed all that. An ecumenical and...

In a world of shrinking circles, real love expands the table. That’s what Christ’s family, the Church, has always done. (Photo: Lightstock) “Mom, is Tía Gina your sister or Dad’s?” a bright-eyed young André asked his mom. “Well, neither. She’s not actually related to us at all,” came the reply. After all those years, I was confused to say the least — who was “Aunt” Gina, after all? Since when do high school best friends automatically become aunts and uncles?? The first domino having fallen,...

What if our best leadership this Advent came not from achieving more, but from being more present to Christ? (Photo: Unsplash) Advent doesn’t just invite leaders to slow down — it demands something more profound within us. It’s ironic that year-end pressure, crowded calendars and relentless noise also dominate the season of Advent. Advent, a time of repentance, calls leaders to quiet the cultural rush and noise and tend to their interior life. The season challenges us to live, and thus also...

(Photo: Lightstock) When people find out that I homeschool my five children, they usually say something like, “Wow! You must be really busy.” And while it’s true that yes, we are busy, I think we are less busy than if all of them were in traditional schools. In fact, the primary reason we chose to homeschool in the first place was to set the pace of our lives. When I was fresh out of college, I worked in a Denver parish with a school attached. I figured that someday I’d get married at the...