Posted by marguerite noga on 8/01/22
Unclogging the arteries of the conscience
I love historical biographies because they make history more personal; they bring history to life. Let me share one of my favorite stories about a US president. Many years ago, it was a bitterly cold night in northern Virginia. An old man’s ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/18/22
Martha & Mary: the two faces of hospitality
I recently read a story that brought me to think about today’s gospel in a new way…
A young minister walked slowly to the office, mumbling to himself that he was not “on call” that day, and ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 7/11/22
And who is my neighbor?
There is a story told about the late Sam Rayburn, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. The daughter of one of his friends was critically injured in a car accident. Early the next morning Mr. Rayburn knocked on ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 6/27/22
I will follow you, but…
The world-renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti recalls, “When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown, ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 6/20/22
This man welcomes sinners and eats with them
The story is told of a man attending a crowded church service who refused to remove his hat when asked to do so by ushers. The preacher was perturbed, too, and waited for the man after the service. He told ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 6/14/22
Do you want to enter into this reality with me?
In a recent issue of the Vatican newspaper, I read an article about two Ukranian nuns and their experience of the war that is raging there. Because this article reveals something about the nature of God, I want ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 5/31/22
The violence needs to top
In today’s gospel, we have part of Jesus’ long and intimate prayer that he offers to the Father at the Last Supper—something we find only in the gospel of John. So, to begin our reflection on prayer, I want to offer two stories…
... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 5/31/22
Following Jesus…bringing hope
Today’s feast of the Ascension has a lot to do with hope. The simplest way to put it is: where he has gone, we hope to follow. Like an older brother, Jesus has walked along the way ahead of us. He experienced many of the ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 5/10/22
Hearing the Shepherd’s voice
Let me begin with a story. One day a newly installed pastor walked around the streets of his new parish to acquaint himself with the people of the neighborhood. One of his first stops was at the local shoemaker’s shop.
The pastor talked ... Read More »
Posted by marguerite noga on 5/02/22
Are we an Easter people?
I love to read historical biographies, and among my favorites are books about Abraham Lincoln and the other figures of the Civil War. Reading the biographies makes the history come alive, relaying very human details that made all the difference—human details that you ... Read More »
