Category: Blog
-
‘A Friend Is a Friend at All Times’ (Prv 17:17)
I just spent too much time (way too much time) browsing online for a good ‘friend’ gift. A gift for a best friend of over 30 years who is moving out of state soon. (And not even to a state nearby.) There were several gift ideas to choose from: mugs,…
-
The True Presence of Christ
I was again in the nearby adoration chapel with a specific issue and person in my prayer. As I focused ahead, the beautiful monstrance was of course on the altar revealing the Body of Christ which is what I came to see and feel and listen to. Yet off to…
-
Why Are You Terrified?
It wouldn’t get much safer than having Jesus on a boat with you, right? That’s what we would probably think, but in this Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 4:35-41), the disciples become very scared when the ‘violent squall’ is suddenly and unexpectedly upon them. Their boat trip with Jesus to the ‘other…
-
Clearing the Clutter
It’s that time of year. My neighborhood is having a ‘community garage sale’ weekend soon, and all households are encouraged to participate. To me, the best part about the event is that the coordinators will be providing two bins: one to haul away left-over ‘junk’ and one to collect donations.…
-
Random Acts of Prayer
The other day, I left to run errands, and as I opened the garage door, I was a little frightened by a rustling sound coming from the stack of boxes-within-boxes in the front of my garage. I anxiously stepped aside, expecting a squirrel or rabbit to come running out, but…
-
We All Have a Place in the Body of Christ
When you are at church, do you sometimes hear the beginning of the ‘Communion’ hymn and joyfully think ‘Oh, I love that one!’? The richness and significance of some of these selections really reach me. The profound lyrics in these hymns should move us. They are prayers and guidance to…
-
Graduates and the Holy Trinity
We all probably know either a high school or college student graduating this spring which got me thinking. I don’t believe I’ll ever need to prepare to give a commencement address, but I briefly wondered what I would share at such an important time in college graduates’ lives. I don’t…
-
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
As we approach Pentecost this weekend, it seems like a good time to take a little ‘inventory.’ One of the Pentecost readings reminds us of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23) These are…
-
Are You Standing There, Looking at the Sky?
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts 1:11) This is from tomorrow’s Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (celebrated at Mass this Sunday) and is one of my favorite lines in scripture. In thinking about why it’s a favorite, I found it somewhat…
-
The Love and Faith in Front of Us
Not long ago while on the treadmill at my neighborhood rec center, I found entertaining programs on the two televisions in front of me. On one was a movie I had just seen again. On the other was my team not doing very well after two innings. (Later, I saw…
-
What’s in Your Collection?
Do you have a collection of something? When I was younger, I had a collection of dolls from various European countries. They were mostly from places my parents visited throughout the years. The dolls, all female, were similar in size and shape, but their clothing reflected their countries. I remember…
-
The Good Shepherd
When we read scripture, we often come across images or messages that can take some time to ‘digest,’ understand, or work through. We might need to read the words and verses several times in order to pray with them and reflect on how they are meant for us at that…
-
He Is Risen! (With His Wounds)
Do you have a favorite image of the Risen Christ? I tend to be drawn to some portrayals more than others, but they all stir a joy in us and strengthen our faith in God’s complete love. Recently I spent time praying with one particular image that was displayed at…
-
‘And They Remembered His Words’
When I first reflected on this year’s Easter Vigil, I felt a very slight disappointment for a very brief moment. I recalled the community members who, just the night before, received sacraments as new members of the Body of Christ, and I somewhat envied their new, fresh beginning. This fresh…
-
Drawn to Watch Again
When I watch TV, I’m a channel flipper. During commercials, I look to see what’s showing on other stations. By doing that, I often come across good movies. Usually, they are older films I’ve seen before. It strikes me that there are some movies I can skip – though good,…
-
Thankful for St. Joseph
Yesterday (March 19) was the feast day of St. Joseph, and I wish we knew more about him. As we know, there is not a lot on him in scripture, but I think there is enough to give us a pretty good idea. Engaging our imaginations, we can close our…
-
Worth the Time and Effort
We’ve had unusually nice weather for this time of year, so I’ve been taking advantage of it to do some yard work. When I’m in the yard, I don’t take my phone or listen to my playlist. Lately, it’s just been my rake and my thoughts. And as I spend…
-
Unexpected Lent
I had great plans for this Lent: go to daily Mass at least once per week; go to Adoration at least once per week; attend Stations of the Cross multiple times. Well, three strikes so far. Now that we’re about halfway through Lent, I haven’t done any of them yet,…
-
A Memory for You
Several times per week, I receive a notice on my phone of a photo ‘memory for you.’ Do you get those, too? Sometimes the notice even provides multiple memories or photos of the same person (or pet, etc.). To be fair, most of the photos ‘selected’ for me are indeed…
-
With the Help of Your Grace
Every time I pray the Act of Contrition the line above stands out for me. I am sorrowful of my sinfulness, so the rest of the prayer is of course an important part of repenting and seeking forgiveness. But the idea of the help of His grace is, for me,…
