“What causes wars among you?” asks the apostle James, and he himself gives the answer: “Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You fight and wage war” (cf. James 4:1–2).
There are paths to true peace, and James’ words give us a clue. If we want to contribute to the peace that our heavenly Father desires to grant humanity, we must begin with ourselves, restraining the destructive passions that dwell within us. Read More
On the fifteenth day of our Lenten journey, I find myself in Jerusalem writing this meditation under the shadow of military action between the United States, Israel, and Iran. On the morning of February 28, 2026, a bombing campaign against Iran began under the name “Operation Roaring Lion.” Iran responded with missile launches announced by sirens throughout much of Israel, including Jerusalem.
Today’s reading, taken from the Book of Esther (13:8–11, 15–17), attests to God’s omnipotence, and the Gospel (Matthew 20:17–28) speaks of Christ’s reign.
The context of the reading is that the Persian king Ahasuerus, influenced by Haman, his second‑in‑command, was about to carry out the extermination of all the Jews in his kingdom. In his great distress, Mordecai, an illustrious Jew who served in the palace, raised this plea to God:
