How far would you go for those you love? That’s the central question of the Passion, maybe the whole of Jesus’ life. How far would you go? He went the full measure. He gave the full measure. He taught us the true meaning of love throughout his ministry; he taught us about love while he …
Category: faith
You Can’t Skip It
Heard recently [and I'm paraphrasing]: "...most often, to get to a better place, it's really not possible to 'skip the hard part.'" It's a simple idea. And it's a GREAT insight. It's undeniable. really. We don't get to skip the suffering, the struggle, the WORK, to get better, to heal, to reach a better place. …
I’ve Been Here Before
Sitting in the old truck. It’s the afternoon. There’s water slowly streaming down the windshield. It’s been raining for a while. Grey afternoon light pours in. I’ve got the local jazz radio station, KCSM, dialed in. I’m thinking about my dad. As some of you know he’s been gone a couple years. Listening to jazz …
Palm Sunday, A Few Thoughts
I always seem to have mixed feelings and a bag of different thoughts as Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. I’m sad, thinking about the coming suffering we’ll remember. I struggle to imagine the crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as he entered the city. I try to picture a crowd lining the road, waving …
Good Where You Least Expect
How to discern good, how to find it, especially during difficult times? How to hear the truth above the din of naysayers? The reading from the Gospel of John 7, one of the phrases stands out for me: “...no prophet arises from Galilee...”, said the Pharisees of Jesus. This was in response to some saying, …
Fat Tuesday
A week ago we celebrated “Fat Tuesday”, “Mardi Gras” in French. It’s historically celebrated as the last day before Lent in the Christian — and particularly the Catholic Christian — World. Since Lent is seen as a time of reflection and extra spiritual discipline, Fat Tuesday is the last day before is a chance to …
Each Day
“Each day go back to being small within, be simple and enthusiastic, and recall the blessings in your life. Do these, and your heart will remain open for others, and your spirit will be grounded in love.” This advice from Pope Francis recently rings true in at least a few ways. The fundamental premise, the …
Clean Up
In my family, these people I love and live with, I clean up. Just what does that mean, “clean up”? There are at least a couple of contexts to consider... First, I tend to be the one that does a bunch of the clean-up after meals, after the day is done, after the week is …
Micro-Homily: Be the Rock
Here’s how I’d sum up the readings from Saturday. Be the rock on which all may count on. Let your faith be the cornerstone for your everyday. Know with certainty that God is with you. Let your light shine on all around you. Be humble, and be sure of the good you can do; be …
Remember Me Out of Love
This refrain from Psalm 105 stands out for me this weekend. It’s from one of the Saturday readings. In one of the loaves and fishes stories from Sunday, the motivation is similar: act out of love. Fundamentally, that’s what Jesus taught us. Act out of love. Elsewhere in his teachings he boiled all the laws …
1/2_Full, All GOOD 