“I joined with (cancer survivor) and mother of nine Theresa Thomas to write Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families,” Patti told me. “This collection of 22 stories is a recipe for happiness and love for families of any size….
Big-Hearted Families
The Miracle of the Loaves
Readings for August 3, 2014: 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Only one miracle of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels–the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. I once heard a homilist give what he said was the real meaning…
Simplify Your Spiritual Life
I love a good holiday and all the attendant decorations, special foods, and parties. With the 4th of July past, and Labor Day still a month away, I’m ready for an event fix. Luckily there are plenty of unofficial celebrations,…
Making the Gospel Sticky
He [Jesus] spoke to them another parable. “The Kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flouruntil the whole batch was leavened.” (Mt 13:33) Just a single verse from the Gospel of…
The Old vs. the New
Readings for July 27, 2014: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Liberal” and “conservative.” The definitions of these terms are seldom stated. Usually they are just presumed. Often people call “conservative” those who like old-fashioned things and “liberal” those who favor…
St. Paul’s Conversion and My Own Conversion Story
St. Paul’s Conversion Paul was the most ferocious enemy of the Church, who as a zealous Jew and Pharisee was persecuting Christians during the first century. He rooted out Christians in the synagogues, taking them into Jerusalem in chains to have…
Anatomy of a Liturgically-Centered Evangelizing Ministry
Last month I wrote in broad terms about how scheduling decisions affect our ability to evangelize. This month I’d like to look at a case study to show how these principles can be applied in real life. Background: The Apostolate …
Jesus: The Word of God
John’s Gospel begins: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. It is perhaps one of the most profound openings to any story ever written. When I teach this Gospel in…
Chosen, Schmozen
Sometimes I think we hear bible and religious terms to the tune of: “That again, what’s the big deal?” Terms like: holy, sanctified, sacred, ancient, established, marked, set apart, covenant, chosen. As we rush through life and religion, we sometimes make…
The Wheat and the Tares
Readings for July 20, 2014: 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time At one time or another, we’ve all dreamed of a perfect world. Imagine a company where everyone is productive, a government full of honest politicians, a church where all are…