It is the evening before the Disciples Investiture and I have just entered the Church for Holy Hour at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Three hours earlier, I had arrived in the Birmingham airport after a six-hour flight from California, having left my four young children in the care of my generous husband who wasn’t exactly sure what to think about what I was doing but supported...
“Hear and let it penetrate your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart or your countenance. Also do not fear any illness or trouble, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the fold of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?...
In the important article below, Dr. Grondelski explains the philosophical, cultural, and theological backdrop to a few important maxims that I regularly propose. This piece and these maxims are helpful to lead us to an important traditional reflection on the last four things as we head into Advent. Here are the maxims:
The human person has an infinite capacity for self-deception
We alwa...
