Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – a feast that calls us to see God’s glory hidden in what looks like shame and defeat. Imagine going viral for the worst thing you’ve ever done. People dream of fame, but what if you became known for the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done? We’ve seen how public sin or failure can be broadcast to the whole world – reminders that even humiliation can become a moment... Read more
When Jesus tells us to carry our cross, it is because he knows that we need the cross (cf. Lk. 14:25-33). Recently, I heard about the faith journey of Brandon Eaves. He went to church with his family for around two years when he was eight, until his family had a falling-out with their church. In High School, he became interested thanks to a girl. A popular football player, he asked a girl to homecoming. She thought it was a... Read more
Do you ever wish you had space to pray? I remember listening to a woman speak about where her husband prayed every day. He would get up before most of the family, pour himself a cup of coffee, and sit in his chair. This time and place became sacred to him. He had his well-worn Bible and highlighter on a small TV tray next to the chair. That chair became his sacred meeting place with God, living out Jesus’ advice... Read more
Perhaps there should have been a moratorium on church architecture for a few decades. We have all found a space dedicated to prayer that doesn’t help us to pray at all. This can be particularly difficult when we are used to beautiful spaces that do inspire prayer in a special way. So, what do you do when you have to go to church in an ugly space? Just as we talk about the sanctuary in a worship space, first you... Read more
Born into nobility and made a cardinal at just 22, Charles Borromeo could have chased power. Instead, he chose humility. His uncle, Pope Pius IV, paved the way for a very political career within the Church. In a Church world rocked by scandal and the Protestant Reformation, we might have expected St. Charles Borromeo to be corrupted by the power and prestige that surrounded him. Today’s liturgy emphasizes the importance of humility. (cf. Sir. 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Lk. 14:1, 7-14)... Read more
If clericalism arises when priests become the focus of worship, then a liturgical orientation that places Christ, not the celebrant, at the visual and theological center of the Mass is a simple and powerful remedy. The Second Vatican Council is the most important Church event of the 20th century. Bishops from around the world gathered at the beckoning of Pope John XXIII to renew the Church and face the unique difficulties of the modern world. One of the notable consequences... Read more
This summer, I ate more mushrooms than I ever thought possible. I was staying at a retreat center in Mexico, and they seemed to appear at every meal – mushrooms in omelets at breakfast, mushrooms in soup at lunch, even mushrooms tucked into a crepe at dinner. The funny thing is, I never used to like mushrooms. As a kid, I would avoid them. But somewhere along the way, my taste changed, and now I’ve learned to appreciate them. Jesus... Read more
“Clericalism” is a hot-button issue. Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis criticized clericalism. Clericalism is an “exaggeration of the role of the clergy to the detriment of the laity. In a culture of clericalism, clerics are put on a pedestal and the laity are overly deferential and submissive to them” (Bishop Thomas Zinkula, “Bishop Addresses Issue of Clericalism.” The Catholic Messenger). He invited priests to reflect on their role as leaders in the Church. He opened up opportunities for non-clergy to participate... Read more
“Jeremiah” was one of my nicknames early on in my formation. A priest, whom I deeply respect and admire, began to call me that. He explained that Jeremiah complained a lot and that I reminded him of the prophet. Sometimes, we all feel like Jeremiah in the first reading. He was following God’s instructions to go and preach about the imminent destruction of Jerusalem. It was not a popular message. For his trouble, they sent him down a cistern. At... Read more
As summer turns to fall, students are heading off to college, many for the first time. With 2025 seeing the largest-ever high school graduating class, campuses across the country will be fuller than ever with new students ready to explore college life. Leaving home for the first time invites reflection on personal values, as home fades into the background and new friendships come into focus. What should you do to hold on to your faith? Find Sunday Mass Before you... Read more
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