Topics of inspiration, celebration of God’s love in ourself and others.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Joseph receives a dream that changes everything. He’s confused and afraid, caught in a situation he never expected. Yet in the quiet of sleep, God speaks: “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” When Joseph wakes, he doesn’t overanalyze or second-guess. He trusts and he acts.
Continue reading “Do You Listen Like Joseph”
This season I find myself noticing nutcrackers everywhere—standing guard my mantel, peeking from shop windows, and lined up in festive displays. Their presence feels more than decorative and I’m exploring how they carry a deeper meaning rooted in tradition and faith.
Continue reading “Nutcrackers Everywhere: Symbols of Strength and Wonder”
Christmas is a season that calls us back to wonder. Recently I was listening to Josh Groban’s Believe, written for The Polar Express, and it reminds us that faith is not just for children—it is the heartbeat of hope itself. The song insists that belief opens our eyes to beauty, joy, and resilience, even when the world feels weary.
Continue reading “Believe: Rediscovering Awe in Advent”
The ancient hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel carries the longing of Israel and the longing of every human heart. It is a song of exile, of waiting, of yearning for God to break into the loneliness of our world. “Ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.”
Continue reading “Rejoice, Rejoice: Emmanuel Shall Come”
Awe is a foundational spiritual experience. It keeps us open, tender, and receptive to the mystery of God. Without awe, faith risks becoming brittle, reduced to arguments or obligations. Awe softens us, reminding us that God is not a problem to be solved but a Presence to be encountered.
Continue reading “Awe and the Mystery of God”
As the candles of Hanukkah are kindled, we remember a story of courage, faith, and divine providence. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. It is a celebration of God’s faithfulness and the resilience of His people in the face of oppression.
Continue reading “Honoring the Festival of Light: Hanukkah and Our Shared Heritage”
In this week’s Gospel, John’s question echoes through the ages: “Are you the one… or should we look for another?” And Jesus answers not with argument, but with evidence, with the music of healing, the rhythm of restoration, the signs of a Kingdom breaking in.
Continue reading “What We Hear and See”
The third week of Advent invites us to rejoice even as the candles burn against the long nights of waiting. Joy in Christ is not the shallow cheer of circumstance, but the deep flame that endures through hiddenness, dryness, and even suffering.
Continue reading “Advent Joy in the Midst of Hiddenness”
This third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, calls us to rejoice—not with shallow cheer, but with the deep gladness that comes from knowing Christ is near. The rose candle flickers with hope, reminding us that joy is not a passing feeling but a gift born of His presence.
Continue reading “Opening the Door of Our Hearts”
John the Baptist’s cry echoes through Advent: “Make straight his paths.” It is a summons not only to prepare for the Lord’s coming but to reform our lives so that nothing hinders His presence.
Continue reading “Making Straight the Path”
Smitten With Goodness 