The wisdom and power of God

A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to visit the Holy Land. One thing I noticed as I travelled around was that it was a sandy and rocky place filled with gullies and ravines. In most instances, the gullies and ravines are relatively safe places to build a house, but occasionally a flash flood strikes and turns the gullies and the ravines into raging rivers. In this afternoon’s gospel, we hear Jesus say that when a wise person builds his house on the side of a gully or ravine, he makes sure it is anchored firmly to the rock. If it isn’t, it can be swept away by a deluge!

Brothers and sisters, the point of Jesus’ parable in today’s liturgy is that the Word of God that we hear each Lord’s Day is intended to be the rock upon which each one of us builds our daily lives. As Ben Sirach announces in our first reading: “Immense is the wisdom of the Lord, he is mighty in power, and all-seeing” (Sir 15:18).

Compassion in Ordinary Time

By Lucia A. Silecchia

Two days in early February, one beautiful and one tragic, forced me to think deeply on the meaning and nature of compassion.

First, the beautiful. February 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, was also the 34th World Day of the Sick.  For the occasion, Pope Leo XIV issued a message focusing on compassion.

He spoke of compassion as “loving by bearing another’s pain.” Using the Good Samaritan as a model of compassion toward the suffering, Pope Leo urged us to be moved by the pain of others and to act as we can to offer love, care, and comfort. Specifically, he reflected that compassion “implies a profound emotion that compels us to act … and leads to a committed response to another’s suffering. … [C]ompassion is the defining characteristic of active love.”

February is Catholic Press Month

By Tami S. Scott
Editor

We in the Diocese of Syracuse are spoiled … in all the best ways, I promise! 

Aside from being blessed with a devoted and joyful bishop and dedicated priests and religious throughout all seven counties, we are also incredibly rich in Catholic media. We have all we could ask for at our fingertips: a biweekly newspaper, a diocesan magazine, a weekly podcast, and Catholic TV. And let us not forget regular social media posts on Facebook and Instagram, as well as two active, up-to-date websites.

The Catholic Sun is the diocese’s one and only official newspaper, circulating continuously since 1892 — that’s 134 years of sharing the Good News. According to the USCCB, there are 196 dioceses in the United States, and The Catholic Sun is one of 78 diocesan newspapers still publishing. Gratefully, Bishop Lucia understands the value of staying in direct touch with his flock! Support and subscribe by visiting

By Emily E. Long
Contributing writer

Last summer, I had the opportunity to attend the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, a gathering of 1 million young Catholics to celebrate Mass with Pope Leo. The jubilee was an optional outing on our pilgrimage, and I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to go. I would have to get up early, do a lot of walking, and be around a lot of other people. I was hesitant because I am totally not a morning person, I wasn’t in the best shape, and I really dislike crowds. All of these “I can’t” thoughts were stacking up in my mind, making me more and more nervous to go.

However, I soon brought to mind the Bible verse Philippians 3:14: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,” and realized that I wouldn’t get to the Jubilee on my efforts alone — I would need to lean on the Lord.