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The question of what we are thankful for doesn’t get a lot of attention throughout much of the year, but on the fourth Thursday in November it becomes a primary topic of conversation. In this week’s Lesson from Loyola Hall, Mr. Healey reflects on how he is thankful for Jules Rimet, former President of FIFA, for his ability to unite the world through sport.

As Christ hung on the cross those who mocked Him gave Him one last chance to earn their vote: “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” The ‘campaign trail’ of Jesus ended at Calvary, but it ended in a way unique to history.

It is difficult to see November as the month of our beloved dead when the sun is shining and the word breeze - rather than wind - is on people’s lips, so now that the weather is more in tune with the liturgical year it seems appropriate to focus our attention on those Christian souls who have crossed from the seen to the unseen world.

Who would believe that a Person who was hailed on Palm Sunday would be nailed on Good Friday? Is the Church – are we – awaiting a new and final Passion? Jesus tells us that we are, and so we must be prepared.

In a world where both individuals and societies have lost the sense of telos, it is easy to see why there is so little agreement on what it means to work for the “common good”. If there is a shared understanding of what the “common good” is, then the questions of rules and utility fade into the background and virtue takes center stage.

Most of us will never be placed in the position of the prudent and courageous brothers described in 2nd Maccabees, yet we are given the task of acting prudently and courageously in small ways every day.

As with every election, we are told that this year’s midterms are the most important of our lives. We are given the terms of the election in apocalyptic tones: this is a battle between the forces of good versus evil, the forces of democracy versus fascism. So, as Catholics, what compromises are we willing to tolerate or even endorse?

In this weekend’s Lesson from Loyola Hall, Mr. Healey reflects on the story of Zacchaeus, a rich man who finds salvation.