Expanding Our Circle
Most of us feel overwhelmed from time to time. I recognize that for you, the overwhelm may be of a different nature than my own, though no less important. The overwhelm, for me, stems from my concerns at a national and global level as well as my relationships with and love for my neighbor. Particularly, how can I in this moment love and serve my neighbor?
Can We Walk the Road Together?
We recently celebrated the conversion of St. Paul (Jan. 25) as a Church. How important it is for us to walk together on this road. We are all called to conversion. Metanoia (Greek word for turning, changing course) requires that I turn around and change direction toward God, that I listen deeply and consider another way. Every person has his or her own story to tell and road to travel, except we are never alone. By God’s unearned gift of grace and the fellowship of people on the road, we can take the steps needed to become the people we were created to be. We need one another.
Unwrap the Gift
Steadfast presents.
Presence.
God came to dwell among us.
Settle. Reside. Stay.
God came to stay.
Remain.
Is this the Incarnation?
Steadfast presence
Of God who, even now,
Remains
Today.
The Light Within
Candlelight transforms a room. Growing up, we lit the tapers right before holding hands to pray, the smell of turkey wafting through the room. We’d stare into the flames as we each said out loud what we were thankful for. The prayers, honest and beautiful, held the space in a moment of peace and joy.
We Are Flailing
Today, we consume an inordinate amount of information without time to process any of it: truth (facts) and a constant stream of misinformation and outright lies. It’s difficult to know what is important, true and meaningful. Yet, Paul believes that we can know the truth. It begins with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not preach an ideology, but the words of life that transcended all the cultural and political realities of his day.
A Prayer for Perspective & Trust
My Lord and God,
Remind me today, and everyday, that you alone are God who created this world and universe. Help me not forget that by your hand and your will I was created with love and for love. That even on election day, you reign. Remind me that I am human, that all candidates are human, and that whoever “wins” this election is not You. I am flawed, imperfect, and searching just as who or what I vote for.
Nothing is Hidden
I’m pretty thorough when it comes to cleaning dishes, but every now and again some grime is left on the inside of a bowl. So, I go back and clean it again. Who likes a dirty dish? Even Jesus hated dirty dishes. He questioned the Pharisees and lawyers in his day who focused intently on their purity rituals. Jesus poignantly used the metaphor to accuse them of cleaning the outside of the dish, but leaving the inside neglected. In the Hebrew world, the “inside” refers to the heart, but not the way we think of it in our Western culture.
Too Busy in the Kitchen
Mary, Martha’s sister, just sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his words (Luke 10:38-42). She just sat there, hearing the words of eternal life. Can you imagine it? And he says that she chose the better part. Why would he say that? In the background, we can almost detect Martha mumbling to herself while she prepared a meal...
Prayer for Migrants & Refugees
A Prayer for Migrants and Refugees, written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Lessons From a Golden Retriever
In the tension of the tug-of-war between dog and child, I think of my relationships today, living in just enough creative tension to promote surprise and growth. As my children return to college for their senior year, the push and pull of our relationships naturally play out amidst my desire to make time stand still. I feel like I’m still learning from Lucky as I navigate this push and pull
Eucharistic Grace: Leftovers for the Taking
I don’t always pay attention to the leftovers. Jesus filled their stomachs and then filled their hearts with his Word. Jesus’ words even now continue to provide us what we need, so much so that it is too much to take in. He doesn’t only speak to certain people. God speaks to all who seek to know the truth that He alone can give.
You Can’t Paddle With a Stiff Neck
Someone has to lead in a canoe. In order to make it work, the person sitting in the front must listen and allow the person behind him to call the shots: paddle as directed even when it doesn’t make sense. I do better in the front of a canoe. Though I find I am sometimes inside my own head or I try to paddle independently, closed off to my friend’s voice. The Prophet Jeremiah calls this being stiff-necked.
Ode to an Over-Packer
It strikes me that God wants us to be free; free to speak the truth and to give with generous hearts, free to go where God wants us to go in order to proclaim, in our own unique way, that the Kingdom of God is now. We have so much baggage, literal and figurative: the many things we have accumulated, the things that keep us comfortable…I tend to approach it with a mindset of scarcity.
Resurrection Joy: One Step at a Time
Slowly processing my own father’s passing from this life, I am left wondering about my next steps. Mary Magdalene inspires me to step outside the tomb, to go forth proclaiming the Good News, in whatever way I decide. Along the way, I believe, my grief will become resurrection joy.
True Simplicity
In his final days, my father spent time with all ten of his children. With true simplicity, we spoke words of love and mercy, while we helped him let go with grace and peace.
What Will I Remember This Holy Week?
With steadfast intention, Jesus rode on an ordinary donkey into Jerusalem as thousands of Jews gathered to celebrate Passover. The crowds welcomed a king they believed would free them from oppression and tyranny. Yet, Jesus’ entrance amidst songs of “Hosanna!” proved a stark contrast to Pontius Pilate and the magnificent Roman army who entered Jerusalem with their earthly power and domination. They feared an uprising and were reminding the Jewish people just who was in charge. Jesus knew what he was doing. His kingdom was not of this world.
Our Images of God Matter
I have recently been thinking about my image of God. We sometimes have to unlearn what we have learned and spend time getting to know who God is. And we need to realize that our perception of God might be off-base. In these last days of Lent, take some time thinking about your image of God. It might help us to trust the love and mercy that God always and everywhere offers to all people.
From Ashes to the Cross
You are dust
To dust you shall return
A cross
Grit, dirt, ashes
Smudged on our bodies
From the praise entering Jerusalem
That quickly turned to death
On a cross
The Messiah
The Anointed One
So many questions
Living Sparks
St. Hildegard of Bingen (d. 1179), a Doctor of the Church, received mystical visions beginning at 3 years old that led her to see all people as “living sparks” of God’s love. As we believe that all people are created by God, then God’s imprint would indeed be within each soul. To think of myself and others as “living sparks” of God’s love changes how I see myself and others, especially the little girl with the sequin dress.
Considering This Epidemic of Loneliness
It’s easy to consider experiences of loneliness, disconnection and isolation this time of year. Dreary, sunless days keep us inside and apart from others. So used to engaging on social media, many young people find it puzzling or difficult to connect with the people they spend time with in-person every day.