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When you think of holiness, what comes to mind? Is it a saint who has never stumbled? Does the idea of holiness feel out of reach when you’re grappling with your own brokenness or the weight of your sins? 

Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that the journey to holiness isn’t always a straight path. There are both good days and bad. Yet, despite our flaws and failures, God’s grace and mercy remain abundant, offering hope and renewal.

We have a cause to celebrate. But we’re really bad at celebrating. 

Today, Fr. Mark-Mary teaches us how we can celebrate the gift of Christ more each day. Celebrating can be defined as “the work of receiving the gift”. Celebration is seen all throughout scripture, from the story of the Prodigal Son to the celebration of every Sabbath day. And it’s in this celebration that we receive the gift of God’s mercy and grace. 

Fr. Mark-Mary explains why we’re not great at receiving the gift and how we can get better at it.

As we begin a new year, the Busted Halo Show welcomes back author and philosophy professor James K. A. Smith to discuss his new book, “How to Inhabit Time: Understanding the Past, Facing the Future, Living Faithfully Now.”

“That pivot from New Year’s Eve to the New Year, it’s a reflective moment,” James says. “People are taking stock of what were their favorite movies for the past year, they’re setting goals and things for the new year. I think there’s something sort of natural and human about that, and I think finding time to reflect on when we are goes a long way to sort of deepening the intentionality in our life.”

He explains that his book is not meant to help you with a new years resolution, but rather how to reflect on our place in history. “I’m much more interested in catalyzing reflection on, what does it mean that we are historical creatures? That we are heirs of a past, that we inherit things that have been handed down to us, and that we each carry a history in our bones.”

James also notes, “I think there are a lot of facets of American culture that kind of mitigate against reflection, just to understate it. We’re sort of perpetually distracted, which is what frustrates the capacity to engage in introspection, reflection and contemplation.” 

Father Dave explains one action he takes to be more present as he celebrates Mass, and explains two definitions of time that James also discusses in his book. “I remember learning that the Greeks would have different words in different notions. One is chronos, and one is kairos,” Father Dave says, with chronos marking sequential time and kairos being more qualitative. “When I celebrate Mass, I take off my watch for a couple reasons, because the Apple Watch, it lights up and it’s a little distracting…but hopefully, even in a busy day, that puts me out of what we call the chronos time and put me into a little bit of a kairos time.”

James continues, “Kairos is this kind of pregnant, generative, infused possibility of time, where we are taken up into, you could say, the coming kingdom. Like it’s almost little foretastes of kingdom come.”

They also discuss different seasons of life, from young parents to middle-aged adulthood. Father Dave notes how Krista tries to be present with her young daughter, rather than document every moment. James expands on this and says, “So much of our experience now is about accumulating experiences by what we can capture on our device, as if that’s going to somehow help us remember it and be present to it.

In one of his last public acts before he retires later this month, an emotional Archbishop J. Michael Miller spoke to a cathedral filled with uniformed first responders, political officials, faith leaders, and grieving friends and family members of victims of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy, reminding them “that our lives are bound together and that we cannot face tragedy” as isolated individuals.

“We need a community of solidarity to support and help us as we walk through this valley of darkness,” the Archbishop said, in reference to Psalm 23, read as the Responsorial Psalm during the liturgy.

Reaching out to everyone affected by the horrors of “this grim day in Vancouver’s history, but especially to our Filipino brothers and sisters and their friends,” the Archbishop spoke of the temptation during catastrophe to forget the needs of others. “Our gathering this evening in our cathedral tells a different story about who we are in Vancouver,” he said. “Instead of surrendering to either helplessness or self-interest, we have chosen to cultivate the simple virtue of kindness” through consolation and practical assistance.

He assured those mourning “that they are not alone in their grief,” and that “we are with you in the sorrow that shakes all of us to the very core of our being,” as they remember the “innocent victims and those injured so senselessly on Saturday evening.”

He then spoke of the gratitude the city of Vancouver has for the many gifts the Filipino community brings. The “vibrant” Filipino community inspires others “with its spiritual resilience founded on faith, openness to others in difficulty, and the importance it gives to the treasure of family life.”

Although everyone at the cathedral was united in sorrow, the Archbishop spoke of how faith among believers forms an interconnectedness that is “even more profound because it engages us supernaturally” and forges “bonds of communion between the living and the dead.”

By offering one another “our thoughts and prayers,” he said, “we recognize that we can pray for one another, even for those who have preceded us in death. Our prayers for the deceased express our kindness and our confident hope in the certainty that death doesn’t have the last word.”

Authentic kindness entails not only words and prayer, he said, but also practical assistance. He noted the many civic associations and faith-based ministries offering spiritual care at their places of worship and health-care facilities.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver is providing counselling and spiritual support, he said, and a special collection this weekend will support ongoing healing and outreach services for victims and their families.

Pope Benedict XVI said music can open hearts and minds to the good and beauty created by God. If so, this year’s edition of Blooms into Rooms might just have helped scores of seniors catch a glimpse of the divine.

In addition to the customary Holy Saturday distribution of flowering plants and greeting cards to retirement homes, group residences, and long-term-care facilities in the north of the Fraser area, three of the volunteer teams this year sang songs for the seniors.

The performances have never been part of the regular Blooms into Rooms program, said Blooms co-founder Wim Vander Zalm. “They seem to have grown organically as volunteers looked to bring light and love into the seniors’ lives. It’s wonderful to see.”

At Chartwell Willow Retirement Community in Maple Ridge, for example, family members of St. Patrick’s parishioner Elizabeth Loch presented a program of 13 religious and secular songs, including Amazing Grace and Edelweiss, accompanied by piano and guitar.

“Not many of the seniors were able to sing along, but they all clapped heartily after each piece,” Loch said.

This Easter marked the 31st year that parish and school Blooms into Rooms teams from Coquitlam to Chilliwack have visited seniors to lift their spirits and bring to life the Church’s reverence for life. 

At Eagle Ridge Manor in Port Moody, a St. Joseph’s parishioner serenaded three separate groups with Broadway show tunes, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin.’ Some seniors were so lifted by the performance that they continued singing and clapping well after the performer left.

Choir members from Holy Cross Regional Secondary augmented their annual Blooms into Rooms tradition of flowers by serenading residents of Elim Village retirement community in north Surrey with a variety of songs, including Let it Be. Volunteers also included parishioners from St. Luke’s Parish in Maple Ridge and students from Our Lady of the Assumption School in Port Coquitlam.

Art’s Nursery provided 1,500 African violets — one for each senior — at wholesale cost to project organizers, who were supported by cash donations from the Life Compass Society and several individuals and parish groups.

Loch said a wonderful byproduct of the Easter-flowers event is the joy it brings to staff serving the seniors. “They said they loved how the flowers, companionship, and music lifted their patients’ spirits,” she said. “And that, in turn, lifted their spirits, too.”

Martha Bonnet, who led the team visiting the Westbrooke Seniors Living Community in Pitt Meadows, said everyone from receptionists to nurses is buoyed by the visit.

“The nurse said, ‘If my patients are happy, I am happy. And they are very happy and grateful,’” Bonnet said.

Not surprisingly, the sick and elderly who received the flowers, cards, and visits were grateful, too.

After 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we have finally reached the Easter season of rejoicing. Although we are now free to leave fasting behind and celebrate, our prayer is that we carry the Lenten pillars with us in new ways as we move forward in the hope of the Resurrection.

As St. Augustine of Hippo wrote in Confessions VIII, “There is no pleasure in eating and drinking unless the discomfort of hunger and thirst have preceded them.” How spiritually fulfilling is our Easter feasting now, having experienced the hunger and thirst of Lent!

During Lent, we focus on improving our relationship with God and on becoming more self-aware, both of ourselves and others. In addition to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we aim to grow through repentance and renewal. We are all called to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once during Lent. And now, with Easter hope and joy, we are called to keep converting our hearts every day.

St. John Paul II once said that Lent is “a time to be dedicated in a special way to conversion and renewal, to prayer, to fasting, and to works of charity.” Lent allows our hearts to be transformed and our vision refocused on our heavenly goal. The good habits we embraced during Lent must not be left behind. They are tools that help us grow closer to God throughout the year. There are many distractions in life, but when we recall our Lenten commitments, we pray they will sustain us during Easter and beyond.

St. John Paul II also said, “… after these weeks of penance, we will experience the joy of Easter. Our eyes, purified by prayer and penance, will be able to behold with greater clarity the face of the living God.” Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice inspires our behaviour and assures us that he has paved the way to eternal life.

We know that Christ has triumphed over death and sin. He has opened the path to heaven. But as Easter people, we are called to live in a way that reflects that truth. Yes, Christ showed mercy to the Good Thief in his final moments, but we who know the story of salvation must not wait until death to turn to God. Each day we are called to grow in self-awareness, to seek forgiveness, to deepen our relationship with Christ and others, and to live with gratitude for his mercy.

In her diary, St. Maria Faustina shares Christ’s message of Divine Mercy, especially from Good Friday until Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter. During the joyful celebrations of the Easter Octave, we are called to intentionally seek God’s loving mercy.

Are you a child of the light or a child of darkness? 

Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that, though we are all born with original sin, God offers us the transformative gift of baptism, bringing us into His Kingdom of light. Let us not delay in surrendering our lives to Christ through the sacrament of baptism.

By guarding time to maintain a spirit of reflection, we embrace a life that is somewhat slower, but more deliberate and deeply meaningful.

Sundays are sacred. It’s the one day of the week when we allow ourselves to step back from the relentless pace of life. We intentionally slow down and enjoy a sense of calm that feels almost countercultural in a world obsessed with productivity and speed. But what if we didn’t limit this Sunday peace to just one day? What if we made a conscious effort to extend this attitude throughout the week?

At its core, the Sunday feeling is about intentionality. On Sundays, we’re more mindful. We take time for prayer, liturgy, rest, and meaningful connection. Keeping that mindset throughout the week requires more than just hoping the quiet will last; it demands making a conscious choice to live differently in the face of a culture that glorifies constant activity. It’s not just about adding more “me time” to our schedules, but about adopting a conscious attitude that prioritizes balance, rest, and attentiveness.

A “countercultural” attitude

Central to this practice and mindset is the third commandment, which calls us to set aside time for rest and worship. This observance isn’t just a matter of leisure; it’s a spiritual commitment that enriches our lives and renews our focus. However, this commitment is not an excuse to neglect our other responsibilities. Rather, it invites us to integrate our duties into a rhythm that includes moments of rest and reflection.

Adopting this “countercultural” attitude means recognizing that true rest does not come at the expense of our commitments. On the contrary, resting complements them, enabling us to fulfill our duties with greater purpose – and, most importantly, with joy.

Embracing this attitude begins with protecting moments of silence and rest, even when the world pressures us to stay busy. While the world tells us that our worth is measured by how much we produce, the Sunday spirit reminds us that true value lies elsewhere too. Carrying this spirit into Monday and beyond means guarding our time for contemplation and reflection as fiercely as we guard our time for work.

Finding small pockets of peace (a short prayer before starting the day, a walk after lunch, or a technology-free evening) can keep us rooted in the kind of wisdom we draw from Sundays.

Being present, paying attention

Another key to protecting the Sunday feeling is just paying attention. On Sundays, we are more present with the people and moments that matter. Extending this into the week challenges us to put away distractions and give our full attention to what’s in front of us.

What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be fully alive? What is virtue? What is human flourishing?

These were questions that were earnestly and incessantly asked of me and my peers during my time at a small liberal arts school. These were the questions echoed across campus, in and out of classrooms dedicated to history and economics, literature and language, and politics and theology, all through years of study and laughter. They were questions that were constantly reiterated so that when we left the warmth and safety of that beautiful place, they would echo in our minds and hearts. 

When we walked across that graduation stage and into the real world, we prided ourselves on being “liberally arted” and “seekers of truth and justice.”  We held the questions of human virtue and human flourishing within our deepest being. We were ready to take on the harsh world and live intentional lives founded upon truth, beauty, and goodness. 

But now, almost four years later, amidst chaos, uncertainty, and doubt, these fundamental questions beg to be asked once again. And maybe asked just a little bit louder: How do I, right here and now, live a life that is full and flourishing? How do I, with all this mess around me and within me, cultivate virtue and live an intentional life? How do I choose truth, beauty, and goodness when the darkness makes it so difficult to see?

Although these musings are nothing new or extraordinarily profound, perhaps they are a way for me to remind myself of what I’ve learned and some things that I need to bring to the present once again. At the heart of the matter is the importance of asking these questions of myself so that I can give glory to Him each day, for Saint Irenaeus said,“The glory of God is man fully alive.” 

Live a life that is wholly and unapologetically for Christ and in Christ. 

In an unsteady and disconcerting world, throw yourself into His arms, lean on His chest as Saint John did (John 13:23), and listen to His heartbeat. It is so steady. It is reassuring. It is safe. Run to His Church and trust that He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide and sustain us when we cannot sustain ourselves. Stay close to the Sacraments and find your rhythm of life in His life-giving heartbeat. 

“An unexamined life is not worth living” -Plato

We don’t have the luxury of neglecting introspection any longer. In a world full of relativism and irresponsibility, it is time to own our stories, seek truth and healing, and learn from our wounds.

The Philippines made history on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, by becoming the first nation in the world to consecrate itself entirely to Jesus through divine mercy.

In 2016 at the Pan-African Congress on Divine Mercy Sunday in Rwanda, bishops in Africa consecrated the continent itself to divine mercy. However, the Philippines is the first singular nation to do so.

“This is remarkable; this is really unprecedented. Never has this been done before in the history of the world — a country consecrating themselves to the divine mercy,” said Father James Cervantes of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception (MIC), a congregation devoted to spreading the message of divine mercy. “I believe the bishops are being inspired by the Holy Spirit to lead our country to holiness.” 

The bold initiative began with a single spark — a heartfelt letter from Father Cervantes to bishops across the country calling for a nationwide consecration to divine mercy. Dioceses responded enthusiastically, and soon the idea spread like wildfire.

The Permanent Council of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) gave its official approval, declaring that a national consecration to divine mercy would take place during all Masses on April 27 as part of the 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the CBCP, issued a statement calling on all dioceses, parishes, religious communities, and Catholic institutions to participate in this landmark spiritual initiative.

“This nationwide consecration will be a profound expression of our trust in the divine mercy — a trust that remains our final refuge in these times of uncertainty and trial,” Cardinal David said. “As Our Lord Jesus said to St. Faustina, ‘I desire that my mercy be worshipped, and I am giving mankind the last hope of salvation; that is, recourse to my mercy.’” 

He described the national act of consecration as a “collective response of faith and hope” amid grave challenges facing the country and global community today — such as the threat of global war, widespread corruption, the erosion of truth, and persistent opposition to Church teachings on life and family.

The consecration was to take place during all Masses across the country on the second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. The Prayer of Consecration to the Divine Mercy was to be recited in place of the general intercessions.

“It’s not just about reciting a prayer,” Father Cervantes told CNA. “It’s about being properly disposed — understanding what it really means to consecrate ourselves as a nation to the divine mercy.