Reflection – First Sunday of Lent

Jason Aiello

Last week, I taught a class for students who are planning to receive the Eucharist for the first time this year. This particular class was focused on Biblical literacy and included the reading of various Scripture passages. One of the passages we read was Genesis 3, the same as today’s first reading. After we read the Scripture, the students shared their reactions. One student remarked that if Adam and Eve hadn’t sinned, nothing bad would have ever happened and we would not have lost Heaven. Another student quickly responded by saying: “Yeah, but then we wouldn’t have been born.”

On April 19 of this year, Catholics throughout the world who attend the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter will hear the Exsultet proclaimed, which contains the phrase: “O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a redeemer!” This is the point that…

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Reflection – Ash Wednesday

Jason Aiello

As I was studying the Scripture readings for today, the first questions I asked myself were: “Who is Joel?” and “Why is there an entire book of the bible dedicated to him?” Scholars who have studied him note that very little is actually know about him. The writings we have are a collection of speeches that he gave to a group of elders during a time when Judah was being devastated by draught and a locust infestation. He was giving practical warnings for surviving the trials at hand, but was also speaking allegorically of the danger of the coming invasion of armies from the north.

Just as Jesus did in the Gospel, Joel was calling those who heard his plea to change their lives and prepare for coming tribulation. In the speech we heard excerpted today, he warned those around him to “rend their hearts,” “proclaim a fast,” and pray…

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Reflection – Ash Wednesday

Jason Aiello

As I was studying the Scripture readings for today, the first questions I asked myself were: “Who is Joel?” and “Why is there an entire book of the bible dedicated to him?” Scholars who have studied him note that very little is actually know about him. The writings we have are a collection of speeches that he gave to a group of elders during a time when Judah was being devastated by draught and a locust infestation. He was giving practical warnings for surviving the trials at hand, but was also speaking allegorically of the danger of the coming invasion of armies from the north.

Just as Jesus did in the Gospel, Joel was calling those who heard his plea to change their lives and prepare for coming tribulation. In the speech we heard excerpted today, he warned those around him to “rend their hearts,” “proclaim a fast,” and pray…

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Reflection – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Jason Aiello

Today, the universal Church is celebrating Year A of the 8^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Scripture readings we heard today were last proclaimed in 2011 and, before that, 1987. For those of you who are keeping score, I was 7 years old in that year. This infrequency occurs because Lent typically begins in late February and the first half of the season of Ordinary Time ends after only a handful of weeks. Today’s Gospel passage actually occurs chronologically after the passage we will hear proclaimed in a few days at Mass on Ash Wednesday, and is an excellent lens through which to see the teachings of Jesus during Ordinary Time and to anticipate Lent.

The Gospel passages in the previous weeks were all taken from the series of teachings from Jesus that are collectively known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” This collection of discourses by Jesus is…

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Late for Mass

Jason Aiello

A question that many adults ask me is what is required to fulfill the Sunday obligation for Mass attendance. I generally respond by paraphrasing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, but always remind them of how important it is for them to be there, regardless of when they arrive.

This past Saturday was an interesting day for me. I woke up at 7 a.m., and I had intended to wake up at 6 a.m. This meant that I wouldn’t have time to run a few important errands before a conference that began at 8:30 a.m. The day was wonderful, and I left around 5 p.m. As I pulled out of the parking lot at the expo center, I realized that there was just enough time for me to make it Mass. Going to Mass, however, meant that my errands would still be unfinished, and there wouldn’t be time later…

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Confession about Confession

Jason Aiello

For many years, I was extremely irresponsible with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sometime in my early years of working for the Catholic Church, I developed the attitude that it was unnecessary for me to make confession. In my ignorance, I believed that God was going to give me some sort of free ride through life because I worked for the Church. I certainly understood the doctrinal and theological principles of reconciliation, but I didn’t think they applied to me.

After 5 or 6 years of doing this, I began to realize that I might be wrong…

At that point, however, I also realized that I had begun to forget what sin even was. As I continued to avoid confession, I began to read some of the writings of the church fathers and other significant figures in church history. It became frighteningly clear to me that I was treading in dangerous…

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Ten Were Cleansed, Were They Not?

Jason Aiello

The Gospel reading from last Wednesday (November 14) recounts the story of one of Jesus’ many healing miracles. While journeying through Samaria and Galilee, Jesus encounters 10 lepers who ask him to heal them. He responds by telling them to visit the priests. While they are traveling, they are cleansed. The passage continues:

“And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”

Like many passages in Scripture, there are numerous layers to the meaning of this text. At the most basic level, we are reminded about the importance…

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As Gold in the Furnace

Jason Aiello

One of my daughters came into my office on Monday and presented me with a riddle.

Rebecca: “Where can you always find gold?”

Me: “At the end of a rainbow?” “In my mouth?”

She shook her head at each response, so I said something esoteric about the soul and the goodness of human nature. Apparently, I was still incorrect.

Then she said: “In the dictionary!”

We both smiled. She smiled because her riddle was clever. I smiled because I had just been bested by my 7 year old daughter. She also inspired this week’s meditation. The topic: gold.

 

I will begin with this passage from the book of Wisdom (3:1-9):

“But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their…

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Prayer (inspired by St. Augustine)

Jason Aiello

The office of readings from last Thursday (October 25) included a wonderful excerpt from a letter that St. Augustine composed. He addresses the letter to a woman named Proba, who he refers to as an ancilla Dei (Handmaid of God). This term, which was traditionally applied to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was a title of respect given to consecrated virgins; as was the case with Proba, who was a widow. From his introductory statement, we find that the letter is being written in response to her request for him to write about the subject of prayer to God. Although I have not found a copy of the letter Proba wrote to him, it can be concluded that this request was made because, as a widow, she was unsure about the appropriateness, efficacy, and means of prayer.

The entire letter is 16 chapters long, and it is certainly worth reading. A…

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Family Prayer Traditions

The Catechism states that “daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church’s living memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.” Prayer helps to bond families in their Christian lives together, and helps direct them towards further holiness.

What are some special prayers and traditions that your family has? Please share them with us below.