“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” Lk 1:38 What’s the biggest surprise that’s happened in your life in the last 10 years? Life is filled with unexpected twists and turns. There’s a common saying that God writes straight with crooked lines. It’s been true in my life. I’ve often felt God has thrown wrenches in my plans. At the time... Read more

Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, ‘If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” Jn 8:31-32 Have you ever moved into a new community? When I was in eighth grade my class took a trip to visit Washington D.C. We arrived in a big tour bus which drove us around to all the important sites and museums. We stayed in a... Read more

“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me.’” Jn 8:28-29 Do you remember the game Simon Says? I have four young boys, and it’s a game we play a lot. I like it because it forces my kids to practice being attentive and... Read more

“But when they continue asking him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’” Jn 8:7 Have you ever been too quick to judge someone? Life is filled with difficult decisions. There are times when knowing what is right isn’t simple.  Jesus’ enemies believed that they could discredit him by putting him in situations like this and would often lure him into seemly impossible situations. Today’s... Read more

If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,  the one who raised Christ from the dead  will give life to your mortal bodies also,  through his Spirit dwelling in you. Romans 8:11 Is there something in your life you haven’t done because you didn’t think you had what it takes? When I was around 16 years old or so I found myself leading a ministry for the first time. Through the encouragement of some early... Read more

  We don’t know a single word that Saint Joseph ever said. The gospels never quote him directly. Yet he is one of the most vibrant and nuanced characters in all of scripture. Within only a few generations people began to write books about him and his life. He has been an inspiration to millions of people across thousands of years. How could a man who never speaks stir the hearts of so many? It’s simple. Joseph’s actions are a... Read more

“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Mt 1:24 What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? For Joseph, it was probably the action he took in today’s verse. For modern readers, the difficulty of this decision for Joseph is sometimes lost. In Joseph’s own day taking a pregnant Mary into his home as his wife would have violated the social code, religious code, and... Read more

Cyril was one of the most famous liturgists in the early Church. The way he celebrated the liturgy seems to have had a huge influence on Christians all over the known world in the fourth century. He was clearly a man who took the power and dignity of the liturgical life of the church very seriously. However, one of the criticisms he faced was an episode where he sold off much of the Church’s liturgical items, including sacred items given... Read more

“How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?” Jn 5:44 I’ve heard it said that people are the sum of the five people they hang around most. While perhaps this is somewhat reductionistic, there is truth in the sentiment. The individuals that we spend time with the most matter. The more space we give people in our lives and in our hearts the more those people... Read more