In Luke 16:1–8, Jesus tells a surprising parable: a dishonest steward is praised—not for his cheating, but for his resolve. Faced with crisis, he examines his situation, acknowledges his weakness, and acts decisively. Jesus invites us to do the same—not in cunning, but in spiritual courage.
The season of Advent invites us into a sacred rhythm of waiting, expectation, and discovery. It is more than a countdown to Christmas-it is a time to pause, reflect, and rediscover the deeper meaning woven into these weeks of preparation. In that spirit, I’m delighted to share the Hinges of Hope Advent Retreat guided by Fr. Hung Pham, SJ. This retreat offers a space to gather with friends from across the globe, to breathe deeply, to ponder our deepest hopes, and to reflect on how the “doors” of our lives might open wider to grace, to love, and to one another. You’re warmly invited to register here for the ZOOM session and step into this journey of reflection.
As we begin Advent, I offer you the following meditation on Holy Doors, a journey through the door of Christ.
In a world that prizes noise and productivity, Christian contemplation offers a sacred counterpoint—a quiet path to God, and a way of becoming more like Christ.
Our spiritual life is most deeply shaped not by abstract ideas, but by lived experience. The divine is the depth dimension of everything that exists—God as Being itself, dwelling at the core of who we are. When we discover a place of at-homeness within ourselves, we awaken to the unique God-dimension planted in each soul.
As we enter this week of Thanksgiving in the US, our hearts are drawn to the Eucharist—the great thanksgiving of the Church. In the Eucharistic offering, we blaze with gratitude for the present realization of salvation, a gift decreed by the Trinity from all eternity. Here we remember that God became matter to purify it and save it; He became man so that man might become God. This is the marvelous exchange of lives: the face of God in man, the face of man in God.
Today we celebrate Christ the King. On the cross, divinity is disfigured, stripped of all visible glory—yet fully present. Only faith can recognize it: Mary’s faith, holding even this final scene in her heart, repeating once more, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord.”
When Jesus said, “This is my Body,” he was not only pointing to bread on a table. He was naming a truth that stretches across the whole universe: everything physical, everything material, is also spirit‑filled.
“Being human is difficult. Becoming human is a lifelong process. To be truly human is a gift.” ~ Abraham Heschel
The words of Heschel remind us that humanity is not a finished product but a pilgrimage. In Catholic tradition, we understand this journey as sanctification—a slow, grace-filled process of becoming who God created us to be.
This month, Pope Francis calls us to pray for the prevention of suicide, a plea that touches the heart of the Church and the world. He asks that those struggling with suicidal thoughts may find support, care, and love in their communities, and be open once more to the beauty of life. His intention reminds us that professional help is vital, but so too are the daily gestures of compassion that remind each person they are not alone.
The Christian life is not simply about belief—it is about imitation. To walk in the way of Christ is to let His pattern of humility, patience, and sacrificial love shape our own.