Nine years ago, I got a text from a friend I hadn’t seen in a few years: “I don’t know where to turn or what to do. I’m sick and getting evicted from my apartment as of the 31st. Help me!”. I was happily living my life. I was a successful singer and sommelier in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, with that one text, my life changed. Read more
In 1970, a novel titled ‘Love Story’ came out, and a subsequent movie came out the same year. The line “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” from the movie became a worldwide catchphrase. But is it true? “Love means never having to say you’re sorry?” What does Scripture have to say about saying “I’m sorry?” Read more
We—you and me—are in our own right, Magi. We are following a star. Some toward Jesus, others toward Harod, and toward things that will not stand. Away from what we are called to be. We are all following a star that is set far above and away from us. We are all carrying gifts to give. These gifts are special, singular, and only for us to give. They are probably not gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but something more practical, say a smile, a word of encouragement, or carrying groceries for your neighbor. The sad part is most don’t realize the worth of their gifts and give them away cheaply or worse yet, throw them away. Read more
Sin comes from the Greek word Hamartia, which means “to miss the mark or target,” as in missing a target in archery or darts. So, how do we come back from sin and “missing the mark”? Read more
It’s that time of year! The annual time of hope and disappointment all rolled into the desire to do what’s right but not follow through. None of us set out to fail, but most don’t do what it takes to plan for success. We fill our sugar and fat-addled heads after the holidays with ideas of looking like a runway model or the Rock after going to the gym for a month, not changing our diet, and lying to ourselves by saying, “I tried! I really tried!” But did we? Did we really? Read more
When you face the storms of life, which do you cling to—pieces or peace? Look at the world today. Israel and Hamas, Russia and Ukraine, our own lives versus the rest of the world. We’ll all face adversity—life’s hurricanes and earthquakes, illness, being “the other,” not fitting in… But how are you going to react? Read more
Many years ago, two nights before my wife and I married, we went to Our Lady of the Snows shrine to see the light display. Much to our surprise, the lights were off and dark. All that is, but the main hotel— The Inn. And it didn’t have the VACANCY sign lit! Read more
I had one student in my history class who would NOT pass. Period. When I approached the student with their grades, they kept saying, “I don’t care! I’m going into ‘The family’s business.’ I don’t care if I pass or not.” Imagine my surprise when the youngster told me “The family’s business” was very illegal! Read more
Most of us over a certain age worry about our blood pressure, blood sugar, and HDL. But what about the shape our soul and spirit are in? With a New Year coming, wouldn't it be a good idea to consider pumping up our soul spirit, AND body? Read more
So, as much as we all like to whip right through the hand motions, the next time you make the Sign of the Cross, please slow down and think of those who have gone before. What they believed is what you believe. What they professed is what you profess. Remember, it’s not just a symbol. As this year begins to wind down, remember, it’s a proclamation, “Ah… You must be Catholic. Read more
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