La Befana – A Legend of Sacred Wisdom
La Befana is not merely an Italian “Christmas witch,” but a rich symbol of memory, repentance, generosity, hospitality, hope, and second chances standing at the crossroads of ancient ritual and Christian faith.
Peter Preble
Faith • Grief • History • Hope
Peter Preble
Faith • Grief • History • Hope
Tag Spirituality
When God Flees
Herod is not just a historical figure. Herod is any system that chooses control over compassion. Any leader who trades truth for fear. Any policy that sacrifices the vulnerable to protect power. Herod is alive whenever children are harmed to preserve adult certainty.
Spirituality of the Cold Moon
The Cold Moon, arriving at the threshold of winter, draws us inward, into our homes, yes, but also into our hearts. As the outer world grows colder, it becomes a fertile time for introspection.
Jesus Remember Me
"God’s strength does not come from violence, anger, and domination. God’s power comes from love. Christ is the king who reigns from a cross, not because he is powerless, but because he is love. And love chooses solidarity. Love chooses presence. Love chooses forgiveness even when forgiveness is undeserved. Love remembers us."
By your endurance you will save your souls
When the world falters, the Church is not called to panic. The Church is not called to retreat into our sanctuaries. The Church is not called to hate others. When chaos surrounds us, the Church is called to bear a bold witness. And not witness through strength, through legislation and nationalism, but through hope. Not through certainty, but through trust. Not through easy answers, but through steadfast love.
The Blessing of Being God’s People
In the kingdom of God, greatness is found in service, wealth is measured in generosity, and joy comes through compassion.
Counting the Cost
My theology is quite simple, and you will often hear me say this: just love everyone. Our job as Church is not to build walls or barriers. Our job as the Church is to break down those things and challenge systems, whether they be in the Church or outside of the Church, that separate people. And whatever we do, we must do it out of love.
Thoughts and Prayers
Prayer without action is just empty words. If we pray to God to end gun violence but refuse to do anything about it, we are just speaking into the air. Pope Francis said it best when he said, "We pray for hungry people and then we feed them." We pray and then we do, that's how it works.
How do I get to Heaven
Caring for people includes not making fun of people with disabilities or others, not cheating on your spouse, not lying, not cheating, not defrauding others, honoring all of humanity, not taking away or denying human rights, and the list goes on.
Forgive us
Here is the crucial thing about forgiveness: forgiveness is not for the other person; forgiveness is for you, it's for us. By withholding forgiveness, we give power to another over a portion of our lives. We allow them to direct the path that we will follow. Withholding forgiveness leads to anger and bitterness, which can and usually do lead to hate.