When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. How many times have we all heard this proverb in our lives? The better question should probably be—how many times have we heard this and wanted to strangle the person saying it to…
Lenten Lemonade
The Tenth Leper Lenten Challenge
I apologize in advance if someone wiser than I has already come up with this idea and in my ignorance I have now aped someone’s originality. But a number of years ago, I was introduced to an activity called…
Trials and Thanksgiving
Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me,…
The Powerful Prayer of Amen
At the beginning of this year my husband and I decided it was time to offer our almost-two-year-old son an opportunity for prayer that was designed for his interests, his way of viewing the world, not ours. While our son…
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Psalm 23 is one of the most quoted psalms, and for many very good reasons. The familiar words remind us of God’s love for us, love which never wavers…
Love Being Hated
I remember waiting for an elevator at a store. When it opened, there was a woman waiting to get off. I was lost in some random thought, so I rudely went in before letting her out. I realized my error…
Wednesday Morning Wedding
Black velvet “Reserved” signs draped over their back of the first two pews, with their gold fringe hanging down. Not that unusual for weekday mass, especially in the summer. We often celebrated silver or golden wedding anniversaries among our aging…
The Chapel Veil and Humble Submission to God
This Sunday when you are at Mass, take a moment to look around you. Observe how many women are wearing a chapel veil. Chances are that with great difficulty you may find several, if any. There was a time once,…
Philanthropy vs. Sainthood
What does it mean to be a saint? In ancient times, this could mean anyone who is a part of the Christian community. Today when we speak of saints, we are talking about those people of heroic grace and virtue…
It’s Ordinary
Ordinary Time, the color green, this year we are listening to Mark tell us about Jesus’ ministry and maybe, just maybe it seems a bit – well, ordinary. And it is. And it should be. But let us not be…