"...Your Heavenly Father knows what you have need of even before you ask..." (Matthew 6:8) As I write this, we're in Europe, visiting our daughter and family who live here. Really enjoying the time with the family, particularly the grandkids, now 9 and 11. Despite this, I always find traveling away from my familiar surroundings …
Avoiding Despair…
"This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20, NIV) Recently, I have been struggling with regret over some failures of …
A Christian’s Death…
"...I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever believes in me will never die." (John 11:25, NIV) Death is the gateway to a new life, a life so far beyond this limited one that it cannot even be imagined until experienced. Hence, …
What Is “Loving Detachment”?…
"Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another..." (Romans 13:8, RSVCE) The term "loving detachment" originally came from programs such as Al-Anon. It is a process of learning to focus more on my own thoughts, attitudes and choices - what I actually have control over - and giving up the fruitless and frustrating attempt …
Presumptuous Sins…
"But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression." (Psalm 19:12-13, RSV) Presumption: "to take for granted; to overstep due boundaries; to take liberties." In verse 12, …
“Come and You Will See”…
"... Jesus turned and saw them...and said to them, 'What are you looking for?'...He said to them, 'Come and you will see'. So they went and saw..." (John 1:35-42, NAB) This was today's Gospel passage, where John the Baptist points Jesus out as "the Lamb of God" to two followers of his, Andrew and (perhaps) …
Making Friends With Silence…
"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation...For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him...Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.". (Psalm 62:1,5,8 RSV) There's a famous quote from the French …
New Year 2024…
"The LORD will keep you from evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121:7-8) "Begin again": that is the hallmark of God's grace in our lives, a new beginning, a fresh start... May God give us spiritual eyes …
It IS a Wonderful Life!…
This time of year, I get to watch one of my favorite films - "It's a Wonderful Life". Despite its faulty theology (people do not ever become angels), it's a well-loved, heartwarming Christmas classic. The values of family loyalty, self-sacrifice, friendship and community are evident. And the punch line of the film - "Remember, no …
Some Wisdom From Father Mike…
I've been watching Father Mike Schmitz's daily "Catechism in A Year" YouTube videos since last January 1st. This has given me an opportunity to re-read the Catechism again at a different point in my spiritual life, and to profit immensely from Father Mike's clarity in explaining and applying to real life what the Catholic Church …
Lessons From Love School 