Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Church Calendar: Holy Days and Seasons

St. John of the Cross: The Dark Night of the Soul and Knowing God

This article shares some thoughts about growing in our knowledge of God as He reveals Himself to us in our hard times; for the commemoration of St. John of the Cross.

December 14, 2019
First Sunday of Advent: One Year, One Thing

“If every year we would root out one vice, we would soon become perfect men.” In this post, I invite the reader to think of one sin that they want to overcome and commit it to the Lord in the coming year.

December 1, 2019
Feast of St. Andrew: Drawing People to Jesus

For the Feast of St. Andrew: The first apostle to follow Jesus was a man who led others to Christ without gaining recognition.

November 30, 2019
Ascension, Visitation, Pentecost: A Pro-Life Perspective

This article is based on a homily I shared yesterday at my church’s monthly Liturgy for the Preborn outside Planned Parenthood in Hempstead, NY. Since the feasts of Ascension, Visitation, and Pentecost were occurring close together, it provided an opportunity to reflect on how these three events in the life of Christ and the Church…

June 2, 2019
Lent and Fasting

Some people will go through Lent and get nothing out of it. However, that is not because there is a problem with the season or the traditions associated with it. It is a problem with how that particular individual is approaching the situation. As we give up food or pleasures for Lent, let us take…

March 3, 2019
Spiritual Warfare XVIII: Concluding Thoughts

Spiritual warfare may not seem like it should be part of the Christmas message. However, Satan does not care about our calendar. He will attack whenever it is convenient for him. Life and hardship continue in spite of Christmas. In fact, we cannot remove Satan or the demonic from the Christmas story.

December 23, 2018
Ascension and Pentecost IV: The Ascended Christ Sends the Indwelling Spirit

This conclusion to this series will show how the indwelling Holy Spirit provides our connection with the ascended Lord Jesus Christ and enables us to observe all that He has commanded us (Matthew 28:19–20).

May 20, 2018
Ascension and Pentecost III. The Gospel of Forgiveness

One of the most important, and in many churches least emphasized, elements of Jesus’ post-resurrection teaching is the message of forgiveness. Yet, it is central to Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, and it should be central to our message. As He prepared them for their forthcoming ministry, He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If…

May 16, 2018
Ascension and Pentecost II: The Mystery of the Incarnation in Heaven

Jesus Christ is fully God (the eternal Son of God) and yet fully human.

May 13, 2018
Ascension and Pentecost I: A Unified Gospel Message

On the traditional church calendar, the Easter season lasts 50 days, beginning with Easter Sunday and ending seven weeks later with the Feast of Pentecost. Easter and Pentecost are not merely bookends on a cycle of Scripture readings for Sunday worship. Along with the Feast of the Ascension (on the 40th day of Easter, 10…

May 10, 2018