The Witness of Our Lives
The image of the ISIS’ beheading of Egyptian Coptic Christians has provoked various reactions: sympathy, outrage, exhortations to prayer, demands for action, and symbolic displays of solidarity. I think the most important reaction it is self-examination. Pope Francis said of the slain Egyptian Coptic Christians that they were killed for being Christians, and that their […]
Beyond My Comfort (Food) Zone
It is very appropriate, I think, that I received my diagnosis of wheat and milk allergies during Lent, three years ago. After all, I was already in a mode of Lenten sacrifice, and it felt good and natural to cut out these foods from my life and stick to a very basic diet. Also, I […]
The Whisper of the Salve
The whisper of the Salve Regina echoes in my heart, a distant memory of chant at the Benedictine Monastery. …the January night sky glittered above with the sparkling of lighted stars. The long endless country road that dips and winds to the brothers’ abode. The moonlight shining on the silent fields creating snow crystals waiting […]
A Clean Heart
A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Psalm 51 The heart is one of the most essential organs in the human body because it pumps blood to every extremity. When it does not function properly and effectively, negative side effects occur. If we do not eat a […]
My Husband Isn’t Trained
My husband isn’t trained to pause his video game and come downstairs to greet me when I get home after a long day. My husband isn’t trained to take out the trash. My husband isn’t trained to put his dishes in the dishwasher and set it to run. My husband isn’t trained to pray with […]
Why Do We Pray, Fast, and Give Alms During Lent?
This is a lesson for which I will be forever in debt to Dr. Brant Pitre. He taught it to me, and I’m passing it on. But I have to say up front that if you enjoy this post, check out his presentation on it here. It is amazing stuff! Lent is a fantastic spiritual […]
The Ultimate Planner
I’m a planner. While I cannot remember when I first developed this identity, my affinity for planning, having a plan, and keeping a plan has grown significantly over the past few years. I love lists, knowing what’s happening ahead of time, and looking forward to planned events. Surely, spontaneity is great. And I’m not opposed […]
When Waiting is Really Hard
In reaction to the increasing physical immorality spreading through society today, and in an attempt to counter the message constantly being sold through advertising, movies, music, and even best-selling books that says sexual intimacy is not only okay, but expected, outside of marriage, the Catholic online world has been buzzing with all sorts of articles […]
Jesus Expelled
[An exegesis and reflection on Mark 1:40-45] In the readings this week we may consider the primary themes that of ‘expulsion’ and ‘re-entry.’ A man, in Leviticus, when he was declared unclean by the priest or by the community was expelled for the safety of the whole. He had to cry out “Unclean!” to warn […]
Read More Books Now
Brandon Vogt, social media guru and self-proclaimed bibliophile extraordinaire is at it again. His latest project, Read More Books Now, a multi-media package that helps busy people like you and me read more books, is now available. Brandon reads anywhere from 75-100 books in a year, so I counted myself lucky to receive advance entrance into […]
Poor Media Coverage of March For Life
I am astonished, but not surprised, that the mainstream media still does not report on the March for Life. How can you ignore hundreds of thousands of people?
Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth
As a young mother of a young baby, the opportunity to do something purely for my own entertainment comes around very rarely. On one of those rare opportunities, my husband and I rented a few movies from RedBox and snuggled down on the couch with cups of cocoa and some blessed quiet time. One of […]
Death of Beauraing Visionary Renews Message of Apparition
The last living visionary from Beauraing, Belgium died on February 10, 2015. I was not surprised Gilberte Degeimbre’s death elicited no coverage in the United States by Catholic writers or Marian enthusiasts. The thirty-three apparitions of Our Lady to five children in Beauraing are virtually unknown to Catholics in the United States. More common to […]
Glory, Glory, Glory
I have been going about this all wrong. I have been making myself the victim to this tyranny I have projected onto God when, in fact, I have become the tyrant trying to dictate to God how His Will should play out in my life. I make the rules, I throw a tantrum when thing […]
Some Wisdom from John of the Cross
Today at Holy Hour I read this passage in “The Living Flame of Love,” by St. John of the Cross: He [The Holy Spirit] touches the soul not with His shadow only, for He unites Him self to it, feeling and tasting with it the form and attributes of God in the shadow of God: […]
Emotional Discipline (My Recovery From Addiction)
I’ve never been in a violent or abusive relationship – not physically, emotionally, psychologically, or sexually – and for that I am truly and eternally grateful. But I have been without self-esteem or confidence, I have been desperate, I have been violent towards myself, and, most tragically, I have been an addict. It has been […]
Why English is the Best Language to Talk About “Love”
I’m sure you’ve heard it. Your Spanish or French or German speaking friends have mentioned that English is just lacking when it comes to “love.” Maybe you heard in a homily or a talk at a retreat all about the top three Greek words for love (philia, agape, eros), or the seemingly endless list of Latin terms […]
99 Ways to Teach Like the Master- Jesus
Are you a parent? Do you teach in a classroom or do you homeschool? Know someone who has been called to the vocation of educating others as a catechist, coach, trainer or through any other instructional means? I’ve got you covered. I am thrilled to announce my first published book, 99 Ways to Teach Like the […]
Love Calls Us to Empathy
There is a stereotype, probably justified, of the angst-ridden teenager who cries, “No one understands me.” No matter are age, we all feel this adolescent attitude from time to time. But if we let that feeling fester, it can turn from self-pity into the sin of self-absorption. Like all sin, it not only separates us […]
A Catholic Valentine’s Day: How to reclaim and retain your sanity
If you are a warm-blooded, sentient, and rational American who desires to love and be loved, then you have probably experienced at some point in your life a profusion of emotions in the days leading up to and on Valentine’s Day. How could you not? From the time of our youth and continuing all the way through adulthood, there is […]
When Repentance Looks Like A Shower
“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” -Mark 1:35-37 Any parent who has planned to get up “before the kids” in order to have some […]
The Ministry of Food
If food is the means by which Christ reaches out to sinners and gathers His Church, then we too must see food as a ministry.
A Deep Charismatic Spirituality
Catholicism has been around for some 2,000 odd years, and over the course of that time has encountered many varieties of saints, sinners, spiritualities and sins. In the modern age, one of the spiritualities which has become a dominant force in some places, much to the chagrin of others, is the Charismatic spirituality. This spirituality, […]
Fear of the Lord Part 2: Love and Fear
“Those, who denounce fear, assail the law; and if the law, plainly also God, who gave the law…. If, then, according to hypothesis, they abolish the law; then, by necessary consequence, each one who is led by lust, courting pleasure, must neglect what is right and despise the Deity, and fearlessly indulge in impiety and […]
Love, Not Hate
It seems that everywhere I look there are people that are going out of their way to annoy me! People who insist on driving at 45mph even though the limit is 65mph. People who have personal phone conversations on the train. People who chew with their mouths open. The list could take up this entire […]
Internet Ire and Righteous Results
The readings for February 6, 2015: First reading: HEB 13:1-8 Responsorial Psalm: PS 27:1, 3, 5, 8B-9ABC Alleluia: LK 8:15 Gospel: MK 6:14-29 There is a lot of hostility being generated in the online worlds. I teach my history students that this is the result of fear. Fear prompts a tongue lashing, or a dismissing of people and ideas. Fear […]
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