The Life of Virtue

On this feast day of St. Anthony the Abbot, I thought it appropriate to write about the necessity and beauty of deep prayer, prayer in solitude. Having read briefly about St. Anthony , and having become familiar with Carmelite spirituality in recent months (especially through Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M. ), I have a greater understanding of the necessity and inexplicable beauty of prayer in my life. I have been inspired to spend more time preparing myself for contemplative prayer; and to spend more time alone with God, without any distractions. St. Anthony spent many years in total isolation from humanity, but emerged "vigorous in body and mind" after twenty years. This simple statement is evidence that time spent with God, and total reliance on His sustaining grace, can refresh and reform our bodies and souls. I only wish I had a bit more time to spend alone with Him. God Bless.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." These words of Jesus Christ have echoed through my brain all day. In some ways, they have even been reverberating through my mind and soul for weeks, even months. As I have meditated in front of the Blessed Sacrament and contemplated God's will for my life, I have been particularly focused on a certain idea: self-sacrifice for the sake of building the City of God on earth. Over the course of days and weeks, the idea has crystalized in my mind and heart. Now I can share it with you. God is calling me to forsake the things of this world and pursue Him to the fullest! Yes, that sounds very vague, and even difficult for a married man such as myself. ...

Pope Benedict XVI continues to build the city of God here on earth, even in the simplest of ways. Yesterday, he visited a Roman soup kitchen and brought gifts to those being served. Click here to read the report from Catholic World News. [Posted picture is from Catholic News Service ] God Bless.

Merry Christmas! Why, you ask, am I still proclaiming such a phrase? Because the Christmas season has yet to end. In fact, we still have three full days of Christmastide. So, fellow Catholics and Christians, shout with joy: Merry Christmas! (The twelve days of Christmas begin, not end, on December 25.) How might such a rant be connected to the Catholic Word of the Week? Because our CWOTW happens to be the liturgical solemnity that marks the official end of Christmas. That word, and corresponding feast day, is " Epiphany ." When the word is capitalized (as above), it is a reference to the liturgical feast celebrated by Catholics the world over on January 6 of each year. The feast is a celebration and commemoration of the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem after their journey from the distant east. (And, it just so happens that January 6 is twelve days after December 25. Coincidence?) When the word remains uncapitalized, it refers to the following (as defined by Merriam...