Category: Blog
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What Would Make Jesus Smile?
The homily I heard over the weekend got my attention, and I have been reflecting on the question Father posed to us: What can we do today that would make Jesus smile? Father asked this in the context of not being able to change what has already taken place, not…
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The Voice of Companionship in Christ
Sometimes I forget until it happens. Like it did yesterday: two different people at two different times on the same day offering a similar message. I could only think – believe – the Lord sent them to me with the words I needed to hear. They were voices of encouragement,…
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Take a Break
It seems to happen every summer. After many hot days in a row, just when we think we can’t handle any more, we get a break – a day or two of cooling clouds and lower temperatures. Though the heat is sure to return, the break from it is always…
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Finding God in the Fallen Pieces
Have you played the popular game with the tall tower made of small wooden blocks stacked in rows of three on top of each other? Players take turns carefully pulling a block from the tower then placing it on top. The game is over when removing one block causes all…
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The Holy Spirit at Work
I often spend some extra time on Gospel readings that involve bodies of water. Not only is there always something very significant happening, but the water also helps me envision the scene – the sounds of the waves rushing to the shore, the smell of fish, and the sight of…
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To-Do List of Faith
I have occasionally gone through phases when it feels there is so much to do, I don’t know where to start, so I just do nothing. Obviously, that’s not productive or helpful, so for a little motivation, I try taking inventory on what should be done, and I make to-do…
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Bringing Jesus to Others
When I was a very young adult and beginning to volunteer in a new church, I remember feeling slightly intimidated when I was introduced to a ‘Minister.’ There were several – Music Minister, Outreach Minister, Youth Minister, etc. New at volunteering in an environment outside of school, I wondered what…
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‘God is in the Air’
Last week I heard a song on the radio that I haven’t heard in yeeeaaarrrsss – maybe even in a couple of decades. It took me back to a very happy memory, and I was grateful. (I was also amazed I remembered the words.) Hearing the song felt like I’d…
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A Season for ‘New’
Tis the season for graduation and new beginnings. As high school and college graduations take place this month, I think about the graduates and the incredible journeys ahead of them. College graduates especially are stepping into something very new. They are trading what has been a life of school for…
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“Follow Me”
In last Sunday’s Gospel reading (John 21:1-19), we continue to receive rich images and thoughtful words to guide us through this enlightening and joyful Easter season. Even though this narrative is a very familiar one to us, I invite you to reread it when you have a chance and spend…
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On the Road of Easter
Though we are still early in the Easter season, I admit I already started growing slightly impatient. Throughout the poignant images and reflections of Lent, I had been awaiting the joyful hope and promise of Easter and what it might bring. The celebration of Easter was wonderful – the flowing…
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Courage in the Resurrection
I attended an event as part of my preparation for Easter. The word ‘courage’ was mentioned directly to me, and it made an impression. It was still on my mind when I heard it a second time just three days later at another event. That got my attention. I hadn’t…
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Holy Week – A Time to Put Jesus First
In last weekend’s homily, Father reminded us to put Jesus first, especially during this Holy Week. Certainly good and appropriate advice, but on the surface, I couldn’t help but think to myself: Aren’t we doing that? I mean we’re here, gathered together in prayer at church. We likely plan to…
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Our Stations of the Cross
A week from now, we will be getting ready to take a journey with Jesus. The Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Way of the Cross, and the silence of the tomb – all of them powerful places of prayer to know God’s merciful and healing love for us,…
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Keep Moving
Last week I heard another swimmer encourage the person in the lane next to her: “As long as we keep moving, we’re doing okay.” She’s right. I’ve had plenty of exercise sessions that fit under the ‘something is better than nothing’ category, especially when I didn’t really feel up to…
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Vocabulary of Faith
You likely have words that immediately come to mind when you think of your faith or of prayer or of the Lord: love, spirit, grace, blessed, hope, rejoice, strength, comfort, peace, grateful, mercy, forgiveness, etc. When we take time to discern and focus on them, we find ourselves surrounded by…
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Spiritual Traditions – Old and New
I was at a friend of a friend’s recently and was surprisingly struck by two different items in the kitchen. There was an authentic old-fashioned tin bread box on the counter. (I’ve seen modern versions, but I think the last bread box I saw like this was at my Grandma’s…
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Because By Your Holy Cross
Though we are weeks away from Good Friday and observing the Lord’s passion, it’s not too early in Lent to begin praying with the cross. We look at wood all around us and often see it as a supportive building block, a crucial part of a structure, or in a…
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Key Words for Lent
When we search online for just about anything, we include key words to help narrow our search: Not just shoes, but athletic shoes for walking. Not just a house, but a three-bedroom ranch with two baths. Not just a job, but a sales job in the communications industry within 15…
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There’s Always Work To Do
Throughout the year when I look out my kitchen window into the backyard, I’m often reminded there’s more work to do—even though I feel I’ve already done a lot. Currently, I see the need to rake and clear out winter debris soon to prepare for the next season. (Didn’t I…
Journeying to Grace 