A few years ago, my wife had her job downsized. It was quite a shock to both of us, as you can imagine. We began to worry about making our mortgage payments or if we had enough money for our…
The Freedom of Voluntary Sacrifice
Does God Want Us Rich?
Does God want us rich? Prosperous? Powerful? Some people say so. They claim that all you have to do is visualize it, will it, and riches and prosperity will come your way, because God wants to make us rich. But…
Book Review: Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections of the Gift of Motherhood
So often mothers bemoan the passing time because they feel left behind as their children leave to embrace their own lives. Danielle Bean’s book, Giving Thanks and Letting Go: Reflections of the Gift of Motherhood is an antidote to those…
Wrestling with God
In the Book of Genesis, Jacob was asleep, anticipating the next day. He was camped away from his old home, afraid of his older brother Esau. Years earlier, Jacob had tricked his brother out of his birthright and then tricked…
The Calcification of the Soul
When you are young, you are a being of pure potential. Your life and your future stretch out with endless possibilities. Remember what it was like to one day want to be an astronaut and the next to be a…
Humility
Humility, the state of being humble or lowly, is a Christian virtue that we are all called to embrace. One thing I know about Christian humility is that it is not what the world seems to think it is: being…
Catholic Pop Culture 2019
As I have in years past, I shall recall any good things from the popular culture that are harmonious or helpful to Catholic culture. There were many things this past year and many things coming up in 2020 that are…
Butterflies at Wal-Mart?
“I love your dress!” came at me like a chant from a cheerleader. A second voice echoed, “I love your dress!” I look up to see two joyful women. “Do I know them?” I asked myself. I didn’t come to…
When It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas
We are told that this is the most joyous holiday of the year. But for many, Advent and Christmas conjure feelings of sorrow. For most of us, we have magical Christmas memories from our childhood. The bright colored lights filled…
Sweep Aside Notions That Get in the Way
Our destiny as human beings is to have a life-relationship with Jesus, to love him and be loved by him. But too many things get in the way. There are the day-to-day things in our life that distract us and…