Lent is a time when we must meditate on the 4 Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. Today's homily explores the need for us to be prepared for death--so that we do not fear God as our Judge, but look forward to being with Him forever in heaven.

Peter, James and John saw Jesus in glory (or at least in a ray of his glory) during the Transfiguration. Nothing is preventing you from seeing Him in glory too. You just need this...

The Blessed Mother promised to shower grace upon grace on those who wear the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. So many miracles have happened for those who wore it, it isn't known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception anymore, but the "Miraculous medal." Here's the story...

Lent is awesome. It is a dedicated time to grow in love of God. But often times we use these 40 days to glorify ourselves. Our motives for our "penances" (i.e. losing weight) are more centered on pride ("I want to look better") rather than fighting sin and growing in love of God. Time to change that this Lent!

Most people in this world are not happy. Why? We don't trust that God can make us happy, and so we turn to false idols of the world. These idols make us happy for a moment, and then they leave us depressed, anxious and wanting something else. Here's what Jesus said WILL make us happy...and it will last!

St. Bakhita was sold into slavery, beaten and tortured. She eventually won her freedom, became Catholic and a religious sister. Later in life, when asked if she could forgive those evil men, this is what she said:

"If I were to meet those who kidnapped me, and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands. For if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today.”

Here's how she was able to love and forgive...

Is being rich really a bad thing? Is living a really comfortable life OK if you want to get to heaven? What did Jesus say about this? Warning: This is NOT for the lukewarm!

Do you know who St. Luigi Guanella is? No? You should! It was through his intercession that a 21-year old man recovered from traumatic brain injury in 2002. His intercession is powerful. And he is connected to our Baltimore Basilica. 

Standing in his own synagogue, Jesus outed Himself as the Messiah. Why weren't his own people happy to encounter the long-awaited Savior? Why did they turn to violence and try to kill Jesus? Two reasons. And it's the same two reasons people "kill" Jesus today.

What makes a homeless woman and a billionaire equally as powerful? Only one thing...and it is truly the great equalizer.