John the Baptist was a compelling and solitary figure, defined by his unusual desert dwelling, camel hair attire, and diet of locusts and wild honey. Yet, these idiosyncrasies were secondary to his divine mission as a man of God: to announce the long-awaited Messiah.

The liturgical season of Advent begins today. The close of today's Gospel offers a wonderful promise that formally introduces this season: the Lord's simple declaration, "The Son of Man will come." This glorious coming of the Lord is the very foundation of Christian hope.

The story of David, the second and greatest king of Israel, perfectly foreshadows the reign of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Temple in Jerusalem was a structure of immense splendor, a marvel that drew admiration for its solidity and decoration.

Revered as the "Mother and Head" of the Catholic world, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is unique: it is the city church of Rome and holds the Pope’s official chair, or cathedra. Its history stretches back to November 9, 324, the date of its dedication.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day) is a celebration of God's grace and mercy at work in the blessed souls in Purgatory. While the doctrine of Purgatory can be controversial, understanding it reveals a beautiful hope: A soul in Purgatory is saved and is guaranteed to enter Heaven. That is the good news.

The conflict between Israel and the Amalekites in the desert is the first armed struggle between God's people and a Gentile people. This wandering people clashed with Israel again at various other times.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, St. Luke tells us that ten lepers go out to meet the Lord. The group of lepers maintains a distance from the Lord. In Israel at the time, leprosy socially excluded those who suffered from it.

The request the Apostles make to the Lord in today's Gospel, "Increase our faith," is a beautiful prayer. The Lord's response is surprising, turning the request on its head. He says, "If only you had faith.

This Sunday's Gospel teaches us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The lives of these two characters could not be more different.

This Sunday's Gospel contains the parable of the dishonest steward. When the steward's master is informed about the steward's misuse of his property, he calls him and asks for a full report on his stewardship because he will soon be removed from his position.

The recently canonized St. Pier Giorgio Frassati lived in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, people had to choose between being a good Italian or a Catholic.

If you think about it in modern terms, the Lord was one of the biggest "influencers" of His time in Israel, due to His significant credibility and substantial audience. Every time He performed a miracle, more people approached Him and wanted to follow Him.

It's no wonder the Lord is the best event planner. Today’s Gospel from St. Luke describes an occasion when the Lord dined at the home of a leading Pharisee.