It's about discerning the difference between the God of our imagination and the God who speaks to us through scripture, through the profound experiences of grace and love that punctuate our lives.
Read More
Several times recently, elderly people have written or said to me (an elderly people, myself): "I don't know why the Lord is leaving me here."
Read More
When we hesitate to ask God for what we want, we are already not doing what God wants.
Read More
We have all been told at various times in our lives to share openly what is on our minds and hearts. Especially when upset or angry, keeping things inside and letting them fester day after day is a temptation to avoid.
Read More
You may have heard this definition of "insanity" often credited to Albert Einstein: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".
Read More
"There's gotta be more...I think to myself” What is it that you seek? What are you looking for? When will you know that you've arrived?
Read More
Think of it this way: gravity holds me down. It holds everyone else down, too. But this is a personal matter: gravity holds me down.
Read More
First Lent, then Easter. Jesus told us: You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy (Jn.16:20). We sorrow at the awful grief that humanity inflicts on itself: genocide in Ukraine, millions of abortions, and little children living hungry and lonely.
Read More
One of the truths of our faith is that God relates to each of us uniquely. He speaks to me in a way unique to my understanding and does the same for all of us, wherever we are on our spiritual journey.
Read More
If you are reading this, you are probably comfortable. Along with technology, you likely have access to the physical necessities of life, like food, shelter, and basic medical care.
Read More
Fr. Ron Gonzales reminded us of the Our Father in his blog "Thy Will Be Done." Here's some thoughts about what we say just before that: "Thy Kingdom Come."
Read More
Jesus said, Peace I leave you. My peace I give you. We might ask: How do I know I've accepted His peace? Here are some measures to start with.
Read More
These four simple words we quickly say every time we recite the "Our Father" without giving much thought to its significance. But can we agree that God's will is good for us, and correct, and life-giving, and perfect even when I don't know what God's will may be?
Read More
In the morning, my computer screen fills with the image of a far-away golden galaxy, swirling with stars. The image makes me feel how tiny I am, a fleck in the cosmos. And that makes me marvel that God should care about me.
Read More
If you use the social media app: Facebook, there is a place that designates our "relationship" status. I'm either in a relationship with a person often named or left blank. However, one of the more honest phrases often used is "It's complicated".
Read More
As we begin going back to Mass on Sundays, we might remember the practice of the apostles and the earliest disciples. After Jesus was gone and the Holy Spirit came, the first thing they did was go together to the Temple every day and meet in their houses for the breaking of the bread.
Read More
Perhaps you've heard these words from your spouse or good friend. Truth be told, it seems that many people these days have very little practice in being quiet and still--think of movie theatres, liturgical services, wakes, and even silent retreats.
Read More
Along with faith and love, hope is one of the classic three theological virtues but I think the least known and appreciated. It does, after all, have a focus on the future which necessarily means that it cannot be experienced in the way the other two can be in the present.
Read More
At Christmas, we're celebrating the beautiful mystery of the Incarnation. The Incarnation didn't just happen and end. It's more like the Big Bang, creation's beginning that is still expanding the cosmos and bringing more and more of us on this earth.
Read More
Advent preparation is finally over, and the Christmas feast now begins! Probably for most of us, there was a lot to do in the time we were given to prepare Him room—and there still is. Among other things we have already searched, shopped, mailed, cooked, cleaned, decorated, baked, and visited quite a bit already.
Read More