After the fire, a tiny whispering sound

This has been an Advent of scorched earth and whole communities burned to the ground, thousands of our brothers and sisters made refugees and displaced persons in their own hometowns.

Following Mary in Advent

This past Sunday I had the joy to join thousands of you and your families in East Los Angeles for the 86th annual procession and Eucharistic celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Awake to the adventure of Advent

This weekend we begin Advent, the great season of grace and joy.
Advent is an ancient word that means “coming” — as in the king is arriving in our midst and we will soon be standing in his presence.

One-hundred years of God’s love in America

As I write this week, I am in Baltimore attending the annual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

We are in the mercy business

This past weekend I was invited to address students in the business program at Mount Saint Mary’s University here in Los Angeles.

I do not hold a master’s degree in business. I have training as an accountant, so I know how companies work. However, my main job is to be a pastor, a priest.

The love commandment

Jesus calls love the greatest “commandment.” Have you ever wondered about that?

He tells us that the two greatest commandments are that we love God with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, and that we love our neighbor as ourself.

Waiting for the Master to come

In these final weeks of the liturgical year, the Church places before us the two great solemnities — All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day — to remind us of our destination, to the goal of our lives.

Respect life in every moment

October is designated by the American bishops as “Respect Life Month.”  

As I write we are beginning our fifth annual Respect Life Week here in Los Angeles. We have a record 90 schools in the archdiocese participating in our programs this year, and I am pleased to report that 25 schools in the Archdiocese of Kansas City are also using our materials.

Las Vegas and God

Like many of you, I woke last week on the feast of the Guardian Angels to the news of another mass shooting in America — this time in Las Vegas.

A new spirit of compassion and cooperation

Archbishop José H. Gomez celebrated the Red Mass in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1. The Red Mass is held prior to the beginning of each new term of the U.S. Supreme Court for the high court justices, leaders in national government and for those in the legal profession. The following is adapted from the archbishop’s homily. For his complete homily, click here.