Ask Father Tom

During the Eucharistic Revival, this familiar Mass text is worth a closer look.

“At the core of the Eucharist is the sacrifice of Christ. The Revival reminds us that sacrifice is also the pattern of our discipleship.”

“While a ‘celebration of life’ inherently looks back on a life now ended, the Christian funeral does that but much more.”

“A familiar anonymous saying puts it: ‘Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting it to hurt the other person.'”

“We still spontaneously associate breath with life — and this is an important hint into the Holy Spirit,” says Father Tom Knoblach.

“To make a difference in the world’s suffering and pain, Mary teaches us to be present to others in joy and in sorrow.”

Jesus is the ‘I’ acting in every sacrament.

“Authentic joy is spiritual, literally a divine gift from the Holy Spirit. If we lose our sense of the sacredness of life, the goodness of creation, the dignity of others made in God’s image, we also lose our connection with God and sever our link to spiritual joy.”