3rd SUNDAY OF LENT – REFLECTION
Why was the Samaritan woman drawing water at the well at noon, the hottest part of the day? This is not the time that most people would be coming for water. Most people would want to avoid the heat of…
Category Lent
2ND SUNDAY OF LENT – REFLECTION
No matter which year of the three-year lectionary cycle we are in, the Gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Lent is always the same: the Transfiguration. What on earth is it doing here? Isn’t Jesus revealing his glory the opposite…
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LENTEN READING
Lent can be such a rich experience if we make time for it. Something I like to do each year is choose a book or two that will accompany me through the season. Reading even 20 minutes a day grounds…
1st SUNDAY OF LENT – REFLECTION
“Forty days,” the experts say, “it takes to break a bad habit. Give or take a week or so.” “Forty days,” they say, “it takes to form a good one.” “Forty days,” we say, “it takes to change a heart.”…
ASH WEDNESDAY
It seems macabre to have a special day devoted to reminding people they are going to die. Yet on the surface that appears to be the reason behind Ash Wednesday. “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust” and all that……
Ash Wednesday: Promise, Hope, Pain & Forgiveness
By Matthew Sottile, Editor Ash Wednesday. How quickly Lent arrived; we spend today reflecting, trying to find balance between the sorrows and joys of the season. In doing so, it is important to examine our own souls, behavior and spirit.…
Shrove Tuesday: Don’t Forget to Feed Your Souls, too!
By Matthew Sottile, Editor What does Shrove Tuesday mean to you? Many families celebrate with copious amounts of fatty-foods, indulging in the joys of a shared meal. Laughter, happiness, conversation and prayer are on full-display as pancakes are drowned in…
A New Year, with Familiar Goals
By Matthew Sottile, Editor We here at Novalis hope you had a wonderful, spiritually enriching and joyous Christmas! As we continue into the New Year, we are reminded that we must reflect and spend times with ourselves, as well as…
Easter Blessings!
By Simon Appolloni, Editorial Director It’s Easter! It’s my favourite time of year: after a long drawn out winter, spring and new life (at least for those of us living in the northern hemisphere), seem to crop up everywhere. This…
Holy Thursday
By Matthew Sottile, Editor Today marks Holy Thursday, which means Easter is upon us. Before celebrating the Risen Lord, we must revisit the moments leading up to the Death and Resurrection. Today, transubstantiation is positioned at the center of our…