Meditations in Manhattan

We need conversion, and acts of penance are essential aspect of the spiritual life. During Lent, let us intensify our spirit of penance. Look at Christ on the Cross. Jesus invites us to accompany him in lovingly embracing the Cross. A meditation by Father Henry Bocala.

Let us live a holy desire to correspond to all the graces we receive during Lent.   May these be days of conversion for us. The sacrament of confession will bring to our soul the power of the passion, and help us to have true sorrow for our sins. A mediation by Father John Agnew.

Let us ask Saint Joseph to teach us to be the salt of the earth. Saint Joseph was a courageous soul, an ordinary man who went unnoticed, on whom God relied to do great things. With Joseph as our model, we too can enliven our surroundings with the savor of the peace and joy of Christ. A meditation by Father John Agnew.

We all have a mission as sons and daughters of God. That mission is to make Christ present in this world. Jesus asks each of us, are you willing to do it? Can you drink the cup that Jesus drank? Let us hear Christ’s words: “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe.” A meditation given by Father Thomas Bohlin at a men’s evening of recollection at Murray Hill Place.

We are entering Lent, a time of self-denial and penance. It can be easy to see this period largely as a time of greater discipline, of sacrifice, of making myself the best version of myself that I can possibly be. But let us remember what Lent is really about: Looking to Christ crucified, Jesus on the Cross, so we come to understand better the love Christ has shown for us. A meditation by Father J...

Jesus has addressed this call to each one of us: Unless you take up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. Let us respond to this call, giving thanks to God. There we will discover joy. A meditation by Father Timothy Uhen. 

Jesus told his disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” If we truly believe in Jesus, we will take to heart his command to make disciples of all the nations. A meditation by Father Timothy Uhen.

A meditation by Father Thomas Bohlin.

The Christian faith is not an abstract idea but a personal encounter with Jesus as a friend. He is not a distant being far removed from our daily life, but talks to us and walks side by side with each person. Fr Henry Bocala invites us to reflect on our friendship with Jesus Christ. A meditation by Father Henry Bocala.

Even though the Christmas season has ended, Jesus remains with us. Every day can be a Christmas for us, because we can receive Christ in the Eucharist.  Christ is our strength and consolation. We are invited, in Christ, to live as children of God. The Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan is a demonstration of this reality. God wants to say of each of us those words heard at the Baptism of our...

Christ Jesus, the Word, the second person of the Blessed Trinity, came to us as a helpless infant. If Jesus, being God, humbled himself to be with us, what does that say about how we should live? Imitating Jesus, we should die to ourselves a little every day, thinking of the needs of our neighbor.  Everything we do each day can be done with God and in God. A meditation by Father Javier del Ca...

Scripture tell us: Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Let us ask God our Father for the ability to pray like our Lord Jesus did, with the same determination to persevere in prayer. May we acquire interior silence and pray with greater faith every day.  A meditation by Father John Agnew.

We are beginning a new year. At this time, the Church invites us to celebrate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. In the presence of God, and of Mary, we now look at how was our past year.  As I formulate my new year’s resolutions, there is one thing that only I can do, and nobody else can give it to God: my love for God.  This year, let me follow Mary’s example in loving God with...

This Christmas podcast was first released Dec. 23, 2020.  Let us celebrate these days of Christmas with all of its joy. Let us learn from the babe lying in a manger. God has lowered himself, he has made himself one of us, he has made himself small, defenseless. Let us follow Christ in the path of service and humility.  A meditation by Father John Agnew.  

Jesus Christ, Our Savior, is born for us.  Come, let us adore him. Today the whole Christian world gathers around together where the baby Jesus lies in a manger. May Christmas be for us an encounter with the Lord that transforms our lives, an invitation to contemplate the face of the Infant Jesus. A meditation by Father Henry Bocala.

A meditation by Father John Agnew.

A meditation from Father Tim Uhen on preparing ourselves for Christmas by choosing to live joyfully now.

Jesus came to us to serve. We will not find Jesus, we will not share in his victory, unless we respond, saying "Serviam" (I will serve). Let us learn to serve in Christ's revolution of peace and love. A meditation by Father Thomas Bohlin. 

Let us take advantage of this new time of Advent, this great time of hope, to listen to the Lord and to be faithful to God, in obedience and love.  That is where we will find joy.  A meditation by Father Timothy Uhen. 

Let us have a heart that is grateful. Let us give thinks always, an attitude makes us happy, pushes us to share, and makes us more attentive to God. A meditation by Father John Agnew.

Life is a journey from birth to death. Beyond this world lies our permanent abode, eternal life which is the object of the Christian hope and the answer to the deepest longings of the human heart. A meditation by Father Henry Bocala.

At the end of November, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. Jesus is the one who will come at the end of the time to judge the living and the dead. We want Christ to reign in the world and in our hearts. Only this king can bring true peace to the world. We pray, Jesus, your kingdom come.  A meditation by Father Thomas Bohlin.

Like the Samaritan woman at the well, each of us is called to conversion. Jesus is waiting for our response. With Christ, we will have everything we need.  A meditation by Father Henry Bocala.

Jesus told his disciples, “I have called you my friends.” May we learn to imitate Jesus in being a good friend. In this time of prayer, we consider, what are the attitudes, the virtues of a true friend?  Do we turn to Christ when we find it difficult, do we ask him for the help to be a good friend? A meditation by Father John Agnew.

October, a month dedicated to the rosary, is an excellent time to consider: Does the rosary have a place in my life? The rosary is a powerful weapon. Through the rosary, let us enter into the school of Mary, accompanying Mary lovingly as she teaches us to contemplate the life of Jesus.  A meditation by Father John Agnew.