Since 1990 when the National Black Catholic Caucus voted to designate November as Black Catholic History Month, this month has been special to the more than 3 million Black Catholics in the United States. 

In the Letter to the Hebrews Saint Paul contrasts two types of priesthood: one that is futile and one that is effective. How often do I feel my ministry is futile? In what ways am I effective?

Most of us can produce a list of consequences we'd dearly love to escape. We'd like to go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and really eat all we can—and walk away svelte. We'd like to spend money like fools and not sink into debt.

A few years ago, I started praying the Examen every evening before I go to bed. It’s a prayer practice that was pioneered by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in his compilation, The Spiritual Exercises.

Like a microcosm of the end time described in scripture, I have regular experiences of dark days filled with the tribulation of piled up deadlines at the office, unrelenting household chores, family responsibilities, financial worries, psychic funks, and catastrophic events, such as the illness and death of loved ones. 

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

In prayer, more is accomplished by listening than by talking.

Browse our library for additional Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B material.

Click here to view the Take Five weekly for November 17, 2024.