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The Cosmos, the Glory of God, and the Mystery of Iniquity: Reflections from the Houston Catholic Worker

The great interest in the cosmos today, from the Big Bang theory to new discoveries and wonders of science, the galaxies revealed in new telescopes, new awareness of the mysteries of the animal world, and the whole world, is inspiring people to celebrate the wonders of the universe. Along with these awe-inspiring discoveries is a… continue reading

The Center of Our Story – The Incarnation

“Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” Christmas at Casa Juan Diego is like Christmas all over the world. Given the many countries that our guests call home, you could say that the world gathers at Casa Juan Diego for Christmas. The festivities begin… continue reading

Advent Reflection

“You promised that you would come, and actually made good your promise. But how, O Lord, how did You come? You did it by taking a human life as Your own. You became like us in everything: born of a woman, You suffered under Pontius Pilate, were crucified, died, and were buried. And thus You… continue reading

The Crown of Martyrdom, the Cult of the Dead, and Recent Martyrs

Martyrs for the Faith – Then and Now Some of the most well-known martyrs who died for their faith are from the earliest years of the Church – beginning with Jesus the Christ himself and then Stephen and many others martyred in Roman times. Over the centuries, Christians have continued to face persecution and martyrdom…. continue reading

The Visitor: Recognizing Jesus in Disguise at the parish

One Sunday in July, at my parish church, a homeless man sat on a bench outside. Just before Mass started, he walked in to attend. Then, after Mass, he stood under an awning where his fellow congregants greeted one another. He was ignored. Yet everywhere this man sat or stood, Christ was present in his… continue reading

A Christmas Feast for the Whole Universe, From Many Countries Migrants Come to Casa Juan Diego

“The star came to rest above the place where the child was. At the sight of it the wise men were filled with great joy, and that great joy should fill our hearts as well. It is the same as the joy the shepherds received from the glad tidings brought by the angels. Let us… continue reading

The Eyes of Faith

Hans Urs von Balthasar references the idea of the Eyes of Faith from Pierre Rousselot. Below is a slightly adapted reflection on the Eyes of Faith from the Houston Catholic Worker, February 2, 1995. Faith changes things, and hopefully, it changes us so that we can see with the Eyes of Faith. With faith we… continue reading

Liturgy, Theology, Poetry, and Slaughter in Our World

Some years ago Allison Ogle, one of the dedicated young Catholic Workers at Casa Juan Diego, introduced us to her fiancé (now her husband) Jonathan Ciraulo. Jonathan was a graduate student of theology at the University of Notre Dame; he has since received his doctorate and is teaching at St Meinrad’s School of Theology. The… continue reading

Christ and the Common Destiny of Humanity

“His blood has made one kingdom out of all nations in the Mystical Body of Christ” – Henri De Lubac In his January 10th speech to the Vatican Diplomatic Corps this year, Pope Francis reminded them (and all of us) of our common destiny among world crises: “The issue of migration, together with the pandemic… continue reading

Christmas and Precarity

What we celebrate in our Christmas Masses is true. God has entered human history in the Word made flesh, the Second Person of the Triune God. As Jennifer Newsome Martin, put it in her study of the work of Charles Péguy, French poet of the Incarnation, in Communio this year, “With the resounding fact of… continue reading