Ah, the first week of Lent—just about the time when I usually start to question the choice and discernment of my individual Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Is this a sacrifice I’m really committed to? How am I…
No Turning Back on Lent
I’m Not Enough
If you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20) Here’s another one: Therefore my beloved brothers,…
Food for Thought
I am not very successful at fasting these days. Yes, I can abstain from meat, but true fasting? It’s a hard go. However, I wonder if the first Christians also felt this way. The early Christians had many periods of…
I’m BUSY!
In an Advent article for our diocesan newspaper last December, Bishop Edward Weisenburger identified “busyness” as one of the five wounds of secularization, and a “scourge of our modern time.” I can relate. It is a problem I constantly struggle…
Why I Own a Cheap Bible
When I first started reading the Bible regularly, I used a plain hardbound copy of the NAB. But because it was hardbound, I wouldn’t mark it up. I kept telling myself to get over it: it was my book, I…
Remodeling the Domestic Church
I recently spent a few days at the home of a very dear friend. In the course of our many conversations, my friend referenced some people, places, and things of which I had to confess I knew nothing. Finally she…
What is Your Doggy Door?
A few years ago, an inspirational young woman who had been called to religious life shared with me one of her more humorous moments from the summer prior to leaving her life as a layperson. She explained that she had…
40 Ways to Get the Most out of Lent
This is not an exhaustive list of Lenten ideas. But it’s a start! Many of the resources mention here are available on our website at www.crossroadsinitiative.com or can be found by visiting our links page. Take 30 minutes to pray,…
A View of Paradise
As I write this, I am sitting on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with a beautiful view of paradise – the ocean in front of me, and sand at my feet. By the time this is published, though, I…
Adventure or Cautious Mediocrity?
Readings for February 10, 2013: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Peter. Paul. Isaiah. Frodo Baggins. They have more in common than meets the eye. Of course there are differences, too. Peter is a small business man, trying to wring a…