For the first couple years as a priest, I would go through the usual Lenten ritual of sitting in the confessional for hours at a time, hearing various parishes kids’ confessions during school—whether Day School or PSR/CCD. And every year, I would hear the same litany of sins. Some of them revealed a lot about Catholic family life. Read more
If we don’t take ourselves too seriously and are humble, I think slumps can become a beautiful part of our Lenten journey. They give us the opportunity to meditate on the beauty of a God who came to save us from our worst selves. Jesus’ death on the cross unleashed all kinds of grace that can powerfully transform us. Slumps are a reminder of just how much we need that grace; we can’t do anything by ourselves. Read more
To dedicate one’s youth, looks, smarts, strength, and gifts to something other than ourselves is profoundly counter-cultural. And one does not have to become a nun to do it. All one really has to do is become a Christian. The truth is that beneath every comment about wasted youth, looks and smarts is a lack of belief in God, and particularly a lack of belief in Jesus. Read more
Every moment contains an invitation to commune with God. Do you ever feel like a crabby mystic caught between nature and grace? There is who we are and who we know God is calling us to be. Read more
In case you are not like me and have not tired of hearing my voice, I wanted to share with you some of the shows and blogs that I have had the privilege to be on in the past few weeks... Read more
I wrote a book club supplement for The Prodigal You Love to stimulate discussion and help any group of concerned Catholics to gather and share the ideas, pains and joys that surround this issue and help one another to become more proactive, (or less nagging and more peaceful), in our relationships with others. You can find the book club supplement HERE... Read more
Darkness has this interesting characteristic that it can become unexplainedly “fascinating” the more we hear about it, the more we see it played out on television and computer screens, or talk with others about what might happen. As we focus our attention on thinking and talking about it, keeping up with the latest facts, the more darkness achieves its goal, sweeping us off our feet with its nameless and hopeless possibilities of an unknown future. Read more
What happens when a homeless man falls in the city.... It is surprising (and sadly unsurprising) to see the only person who helps him up. Read more
I love the Bay Area. I lived there for five years before joining the convent and I would go back in a second. Mountains, ocean, redwoods, really there is no place on earth more gorgeous than northern California. And the people are intelligent, happy and don't mind living in the edge, (at least the people I knew). And I am going back next weekend, I can't wait! Read more
These meditations come from the Maronite Bishop of Syria, where the way of the Cross is no pious exercise, but a daily sharing in the cup of suffering that even Jesus asked to be spared. Read more
Pursued by Truth
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