This picture reminds me that to focus on one thing means we leave something else out of focus. To frame one thing means we exclude what is beyond the frame. Life is always bigger than what has our attention. Mindfulness and attentiveness are different but important. This is particularly necessary now. Selective framing is our zeitgeist. Distraction has been almost weaponized. Always look beyond the frame. Stand with those left out of focus. Zoom out. Jesus is there. Read more

The change we want to see in the world does not begin or end with broad social reforms. It is rooted in people who take time to listen and share with one another. I hope my heart and my life has room to share, listen, and change one conversation at a time. Read more

There is such beauty in the naked branches. A twisted mess of Fingers raised to the light. I’m inspired by their faith. Standing still in the darkest days, and the coldest hours. Arms held aright. Ready for resurrection. Read more

Found this little guy in a frozen pond this morning. I love the texture of the water’s surface and I love how this little shoot breaks through it. Reminds me of myself. Winter catches me unprepared. I find myself still clinging to the leaves of the last season unwilling to move forward unwilling to let go. December is the season of Advent. A season liturgically designed to prepare us. It tells us to let go; let go of our little... Read more

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. — St. Teresa of Avila Read more

To my christian friends who are voting for Trump. I know why you are doing it. You hate Abortion. I know it’s an important issue… but I feel I have to say something. But this pro-life only attitude has become dangerous. Not only for the nation and the world but even our souls. It’s been used to cover such a multitude of sins. It’s justified budgets that abuse the poor. It’s justified supporting candidates who vote to cut food aid... Read more

As you are probably aware, much of our civilization owes its existence to scribes. In the years before the printing press every book needed to be copied by hand. This process was hard, long and expensive. Simply having a copy of the Bible would often involve a year of hard work, the slaughter of an entire herd of sheep (their skin was used to the pages of books), and would cost as much as a house to produce. Books were... Read more

One of the great parts of being a Catholic is the variety of spiritual approaches to the Christian life we are able to draw from through our shared herritage of religious orders. I’ve often wondered which order I fit into best. This is why I love this little quiz.  I got cistercian, which was a surprise since I have always thought of myself as more of a Jesuit. Let me know what you get! Read more

Father, We turn to you, turning all our life to you We turn away from all that is not given to you. We turn over all we have recived from you. We turn our hearts, our minds, our days, and all our ways to your grace. We remember the past with faith you are making all things new. We look to the future with hope in your unfailing promises. We walk today with love for we walk with you. Grant,... Read more

Things have been really quite here on my blog the last couple months. The reason for this is because I’ve been launching a new cafe and tap-house. Hopefully regular posts will start flowing soon. Until then I’d love it if you took a look at what we were doing. My friend Kathy wrote up a great profile on the project at Aleteia. You can read it now here. Here’s an excerpt: Billy Kangas, Cultivate‘s director of coffee and cause, described... Read more