Advent: A Season of Discernment
Hearing the voice of the Lord in the distance demands action, but this isn’t only an invitation to turn away from personal choices and sins that may limit or even prevent God’s coming among us. And this turning — conversion — isn’t only about what we give up, it is really about accepting the gift that we are being offered.
What Matters Most
What is most pressing on your mind today? What is distracting you from prayer? Is what you are concerned about so important that you should let it distract you from the word of God?
The King’s Knight
What kind of a person must Francis have seen in Jesus … the one we see standing before Pilate at the beginning of his trial in today’s Gospel scene? A king ready for battle; a king worth defending with every ounce of energy until there’s nothing left. How do you see him?
Remain Vigilant for the Coming of Christ
Suffering, human failures and weakness, politicians, and even unfaithful priests are not who we are hopefully waiting for. Let us keep our hearts fixed on Christ, ready for whenever He calls, in the big moments of our lives, but most especially in the small hidden moments.
Something to Give, Everything to Trust
How easy to focus our concerns on the mighty and the games they play. How easy, too, for those in power to have inflated senses of their identity and role. Our eyes, our Lord recommends, ought to fall elsewhere.
We Are Companions on the Journey
If we look into the eyes of someone we only know as a fellow journey-person, brother, or sister in faith, what do we see, who do we see? There is a profound story beneath those eyes and in their soul.
Bounded by Our Spiritual Blindness
When we open ourselves to God’s grace, we can be healed of that blindness of spirit that sometimes prevents us from following Jesus with freedom and joy, which is an important part of discipleship.
Saving the World Through the Powerless
Jesus embraced a path of powerlessness. Although he is all-powerful, he came to conquer us not by force of arms but by the power of love and forgiveness.
Who Am I, Lord?
Sure, we hurriedly say grace before our meals, we slide into the pew seconds before the entrance song starts, we fumble through rapid-fire rosaries, but have we really prayed?
God Is Present in Families
The way of the Gospel is the way of the family — hidden, yet faithful, building up hearts by living in community and love.
New Hands for the Harvest
The recent weeks have been a time of shock and betrayal in the Catholic Church. Reposts, allegations, and responses have caused their fair share of whiplash among the faithful. This Sunday’s readings have some strong words for those who abuse their positions of power. It also offers hope in unlikely places.
Jealousy & Selfish Ambition: Roots of Evil
We need to replace our jealousies, unbridled passions, and selfish ambition with a pursuit of love, justice, and peace. The Christian is called to change the tide and live differently.