Welcome to the Word is Life!

We hope that these reflections will help you grow in your spiritual life and deepen your relationship with the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. All comments and feedback are appreciated and most welcome.

  • The conclusion of the Year of the Family

    There is a good reason the family is often called the “domestic church.” More than the actual churches, more than the schools, youth groups, movements, etc., the family is the most influential factor in determining the future faith lives of......

  • HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

    I am particularly excited this Mother’s Day as my daughter gave birth last week (Aliyah Charlotte), and this is her first Mother’s Day. As I reflect on her new role as Mom, I marvel at the love and dedication she......

  • PRAYER FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD

    God of all humanity, We pray for peace. We pray that all families know safety and comfort, that children can live and play without fear, and that countries reach out to each other with understanding and mutual care. We pray......

  • GOOD FRIDAY

    Jesus asks:  Will my death mean anything in two millennia? Will it give home to those who must flee their country because bombs are falling on their homes?” Will it give courage to youth who see adults not able to......

  • The Example of St. Patrick

    St. Patrick’s Day celebrates all things Irish. It is the day, when those of us who are Irish by culture and heritage are chuffed full of a pride that overflows into vibrant celebration. It is also a day when those......

  • SAINT SCHOLASTICA—HOLY TWIN

    We know very little about St. Scholastica, whose memorial we celebrate today, on February 10. And what we do know is a mix of history and legend. In that regard, she is in good company. I can imagine many of the......

  • PRESENTATION OF THE LORD AND WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

    Today, we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. Imagine that Jesus’ parents are bringing him to the Temple to offer their child, their special child, to God. It was a Jewish ritual and it was important for them to do.......

  • WHY WORRY?

    It is a huge understatement to say that we are living in challenging times. Pandemics and variants, wars and environmental disasters, political strife and unrest dominate our news and media. All this together, combined with our personal struggles, losses, needs,......

  • All our Christmas blessings to you

    If you think you’ve had it rough this year, what with covid-19 morphing into the Omicron variant and new restrictions on our freedom looming, you have our sympathy. We have all had a tough year and we need a break.......

  • IN REMEMBRANCE

    Wars not only destroy human lives; they destroy homes and heritages, they ravage fields, trees, lakes, and soil. But the life that God bequeathed to all creation is stronger than death. And so it was that, the chalky, bomb-pummeled, soil......

  • PRAYING FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEPRESSION

    Winston Churchill referred to it as his “black dog.” American writer and educator Parker Palmer speaks of, “the snake pit of the soul.” Whatever we call it, depression is a hard thing – and incredibly common, though often not spoken......

  • TAKE ME TO THE MOVIES!

    On this Commemoration of All Souls, I am reminded of the chant Dies Irae, a liturgical meditation on the Last Judgment. From at least the mid-14th century it was sung as a Sequence on this day and in Funeral Masses.......