If we want to share the good news of Jesus Christ, if we want to live as adopted children of God, and if we want to reflect God’s glory through our example, we must have a solid prayer life. It…
“Your Will Be Done”- The Most Troubling Words in Catholic Prayer
Lent: Experiencing the Season Through Our Five Senses
As a mom, I try hard to make spiritual experiences as tangible as possible for my children. I do not want them to think of God as a far-away being but rather as Someone who is near, next to,…
You Sinner You!
I bet you know them too. Those acquaintances or relatives who loudly pronounce: “Church, if I went to Church, the whole building would fall down.” What is that anyway? Fear, laziness, inflated ego, what? That quote always seems to me…
Two funerals show me how to let God love me
Two funerals of close friends of more than 40 years were not what I planned to do in a busier-than-usual week. But funerals are never convenient; we go with the flow. Both funerals were at the same church across town…
On the Necessity of Justice for Mercy
We have now entered the Year of Mercy, a wonderful year when we focus on the incredible love and forgiveness that Christ brought to the world. Mercy is a truly heavenly thing. As Shakespeare wrote, “The quality of mercy is…
Why We Stone Prophets
Sunday Readings for Jan 31, the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time “In polite conversation, never bring up politics or religion.” That’s the advice I was given as a child. And it’s good advice, too, if your aim is to be…
Do you know God loves you?
The priest’s words rang in my ears, “Do you know God loves you?” I burst into tears. Yes, I replied slowly. “You know it in your head, but do you know it in your heart?” he continued. How often had…
Scripture as Teacher
When we last left our hero (Jesus, of course), in my December 2015, Practical Steps to Fill Your Grace Well, New Evangelizers column, He was calling us to be strengthened through the Scriptures. To be honest, many years ago I…
Something New
January. Just the mere mention of it brings forth images of dark mornings, cold days, ice and snow (at least for those of us living in the Northeast.) Regardless of your climate, January means an end to the holidays and…
Beyond “Good Standing”
If you travel around enough as a visitor to different Catholic parishes–especially for Christmas, Easter, funerals, or weddings–you’ll hear a range of different announcements given just prior to Mass or (more jarringly) just before communion distribution pertaining to who should…