Now this I say, that no man may deceive you by loftiness of words. For though I be absent in body, yet in spirit I am with you; rejoicing, and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith which is…
An Open Letter to Our Bishops
Rest in God
“Make the people sit down,” Jesus told them. John 6: 10 The first thing Jesus did before miraculously feeding the five thousand was to have the people sit down. When we’re spiritually hungry, the first thing God probably needs us…
St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis
When Jorge Bergoglio was elected to the papacy, I wrote about his choice of name “Francis.” As a Jesuit I wondered if he meant Francis Xavier. But it turns out that he made took on the name in honor of…
The Messianic Secret
Readings for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus asks a simple question. “Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Luke 9:18) All volunteer an answer, because describing other people’s opinions requires no personal commitment whatsoever. But then Jesus…
The Table
If you are a practicing Catholic you have most likely heard some form of this running joke: “That priest is talking too long, I need to get to the donuts.” Most every parish these days has a coffee hour where…
Catholics CAN learn from Scientific Faith
Last August (2015) an article was written in the Washington Post about the discovery of vessels which connect the brain to our immune system. I recently read about this discovery two months ago on one of my feeds and it…
Faith vs. Works? Paul, the Pharisee, and the Alabaster Jar
Sunday Readings for June 12, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Protestants say we’re justified by faith. Some Catholics say we’re saved by good works. But what does the Bible say? The Bible – it’s neither. And it’s both. At the…
Be a Sheep!
Don’t be a sheep! I am not a sheep! I think for myself! You’re all just a bunch of sheep! We see it on signs and bumper stickers. We hear it and read it. We’re told by the world not…
Review: The Healing Power of a Father’s Blessing
I wish my father had read The Healing Power of a Father’s Blessing by Linda Schubert. He parented his three daughters from a distance, following the familiar pattern of how he was raised. Oh, Daddy was in town, working six…
Do Whatever He Tells You
“Do whatever He tells you.” That is the advice Mary gave to the servants at the wedding at Cana, but it speaks to everyone who wants to follow Jesus. Christians should rejoice that the path to holiness is that simple,…