The Path to God

We stand today at a crucial juncture in our faith journey, where the enduring relevance of Headship and Submission must be embraced not as an outdated structure, but as a divine blueprint for order, unity, and love within the Catholic family. This principle is not a relic of the past; it is a living truth that safeguards harmony in our homes and in the Church. It is God’s design for how love is to be ordered, expressed, and protected. Part I. The Divine Origin and True Nature of Headship and Submission The origin of Headship and Submission lies not in human convention, but within the very mystery of God Himself. In the Holy Trinity, the Father is the source , the Son perfectly submits to the Father’s will (John 6:38), and the Holy Spirit proceeds in perfect unity . The Son’s submission does not diminish His divinity; rather, it reveals the beauty of obedience born out of love . So too in the Christian family: the husband’s headship and the wife’s loving submission reflect the ...

There’s a quiet moment at every Mass that often slips by unnoticed. The priest, extending his hands over the bread and wine, prays: “Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall , so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That single word— dewfall —is rich with meaning. It evokes an image of gentle descent, silent and unseen, yet utterly transforming. Just as morning dew renews the earth, the Holy Spirit descends upon the gifts at the altar, transforming simple bread and wine into the very Body and Blood of Christ. This is how God works—quietly, tenderly, yet with world-changing power. But this mystery also invites us to reflect on how God’s presence is remembered and made real among us. Biblical Memory: More Than Recall When we think of memory, we often imagine looking back—recalling past events, feelings, or people. But in the Bible, to remember means something far deeper. In Hebre...

When pilgrims step into the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and look up at the Trinity Dome Mosaic , they are greeted by a breathtaking vision of faith. The dome glows with color and light, depicting the Holy Trinity , the Blessed Virgin Mary , and a radiant procession of angels and saints who represent the Church from every corner of the world. Among these saints are St. Juan Diego of Mexico, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Frances Cabrini of Italy, St. John Paul II of Poland, St. Junípero Serra from Spain, and St. Lorenzo Ruiz from the Philippines —holy men and women who remind us that sainthood is not confined to one nation, language, or vocation. Each of them, in their own time and way, said “yes” to God’s call, letting divine light shine through the ordinary and the difficult. A Mosaic of Faith and Mystery The Trinity Dome is an astonishing work of sacred art— 14 million pieces of Venetian glass , in more than a thousand shades of ...

Reflection on Sunday’s Gospel – Homily by Fr. Ted at the National Shrine Grotto “Was no one found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?” — Luke 17:18 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. This Sunday’s Gospel about the ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19) is one we know well: ten are healed, but only one returns to Jesus to say thank you. Most of us have heard this story as a lesson on gratitude —a reminder to be thankful for all that God has done for us. And that’s certainly true. But as Fr. Ted reminded us in his homily at the National Shrine Grotto, there’s something deeper at work here. The Samaritan leper didn’t just return to say thank you —he came back to glorify God . More Than Gratitude Fr. Ted pointed out that in the original Greek, Jesus asks why only one came back to give doxa —that is, glory —to God. The word doxa doesn’t mean “thanks.” It means “splendor, brilliance, or renown.” It’s where we get the word doxology —the prayer we say at the end of every Mass when the...

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” ~ Ezekiel 36:26 Last Saturday, our community was blessed with a deeply moving time of prayer and Adoration, led by Deacon Ping . His reflection drew us into the heart of this year’s theme, helping us rediscover what it means to let God renew our hearts and bring us closer to His love. Deacon Ping reminded us that the Holy Spirit desires to transform our hearts — to remove the hardness that keeps us distant from God and replace it with hearts of flesh, capable of loving as Christ loves. He invited us to reflect on why, even though we attend Mass and receive Communion faithfully, our hearts can still feel restless or unaligned with God’s will. He gently challenged us to look within and rediscover the true meaning of Holy Communion — not as a mere ritual, but as a living, personal encounter with the Lord Himself. The Eucharist, he said, is the very heart of our spiritual life, yet too often we approach it as ordinary brea...