“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field…” Just as a lover, God delights in hiding His love for me to find and embrace. How different would life be if I approached each day on the lookout for God’s surprises of love, hidden in encounters and experiences that come my way?...
How different the world would be if each time I heard the Word of God, my response would be My Lord and My God! How different the world would be if each time I came before the Eucharist I truly believed and responded My Lord and My God! How different the world would be if...
While we name this the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, the mission we receive in today’s Gospel is anything but ordinary! To cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons – not the ordinary run-of-the-mill activity. Yet, Jesus assures us that we can do all of this and more if we remain...
In a recent audience, Pope Francis spoke about St. Therese of Lisieux and her missionary vocation. He reminds us: “Therefore, missionaries are not only those who “travel long distances, learn new languages, do good works and are good at proclamation,” he said. “No, a missionary is anyone who lives as an instrument of God’s love...
One of Jesus’ final words from the cross reminds us of the absolute necessity of forgiveness for those who claim to follow Him: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Earlier in the Gospels when He teaches His apostles to pray, He clearly states, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those...
As we begin the season of Lent today, some of us may still be pondering what we should “do” for Lent. While it is true that it is not all about our “doing” but rather our openness to God’s action in our lives, our actions do matter. The heart of the Lenten season is my...
Jesus’ invitation to be “poor in spirit” focuses not on what I give up or do without. Jesus calls me to allow His own life to grow so abundantly within me that there is no room for anything apart from Him. In this way, I reverently live and love as He does. I then come...
When I pray the mysteries of the rosary, I choose where I place the emphasis. Is my focus on me, or is it on God? In the mystery of the Presentation of Our Lord in the temple, I can focus on the Gift brought by Mary and Joseph. They brought Jesus. They brought two pigeons,...
Today’s Gospel (Mark 3: 1-6) shares the story of a man with a withered hand in the temple and Jesus’ desire to heal him. What is it in me that is withered, stale, lifeless? Jesus calls the man to stand in the middle where he is completely vulnerable and exposed to all. This had to...
In today’s gospel from Mark (Mark 1:40-45), a leper approaches Jesus with the statement of faith “If you are willing, you can heal me.” God is always willing to heal and provide us with absolute health and wholeness. The question remains: How willing am I to be healed? Am I willing to set aside my...
