Find Yourself a Faith
I have little use for the British royalty. I really don’t. I could care less who is in line for what role, and who is feuding with whom. It’s hard for me to believe that the British Parliament forks over...
Category: Reflection
Literature and Values
Catholicism’s literary tradition is the envy of many other religions. It extends from medieval verse epics right through to modern novels. Pope Francis acknowledged this earlier this month in an interesting letter on “the role of literature in formation,” primarily...
To be poor in love is to be truly destitute
There is a saying that I often ponder: “Tell me what you love, and I will tell you who you are.” This is very close to Jesus’ statement, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6,...
Do You Want To Be Healed?
This is the third article in the series “Spiritual Challenges.” In the first article, “Lessons From a Bowl of Jello,” I presented my opinion that one cause of the turmoil after Vatican II is that we had not let ourselves...
The Justifying Power of Mercy
The Justifying Power of Mercy Some years ago, I read about this incident at a middle school: a boy, who was about ten years old, was suspected of stealing. One day, at the end of class, his teacher called him...
Motherhood and Fatherhood in God
It was always a lot of fun teaching philosophy and showing students how human reason is able to demonstrate the existence of God, just through deductive reasoning alone, especially Leibniz’ proof: “If the Necessary being is possible, then it exists.”...
Rediscovering the Trinity as beauty
At a funeral a few years back, the family wanted me to share something the deceased man wrote. His name was Dennis. I would like begin my reflection with his words: “It is good to slow down and see the...
Lessons From a Bowl of Jello
This is the first article in the series “Spiritual Challenges.” Recently there have been various attempts to address the polarization in the Catholic Church in the United States. Last month, Cardinal Pierre gave an address at Loyola University Chicago discussing...
The Gift of Growing Old
I remember an incident that happened at a 5 p.m. Mass, the first time I ever preached at the parish at which I am stationed. It was 2008, the year I was ordained a deacon. Just before the Mass, I...
St. Joseph and his apprentice
“Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, ‘Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son?’” (Mt 13:54-55) Today, on the feast...
Can the Faith Be “Traditioned”?
As a Discalced Carmelite, I belong to a community dedicated totally to contemplation. That means that we have no outside ministry. We do not teach or nurse except to care for the members of our own community. We do not...
The Modern Day Widow’s Mite
I am the director of a nonprofit organization that cares for homeless teenagers and young adults in Burlington, Vermont. At Spectrum Youth and Family Services we have a drop-in center where they can come in any day of the week...
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