Throughout scripture, we find stories about Jesus calming the storms at sea. Through this lens, we witness some of the spiritual dynamics of fear and trust. The disciples stand symbolically for all of us journeying through life within the narrow confines of our fearful ego.
Continue reading “Calm Within The Storm”
It has been said that man will not consent to drive away the moneychangers from the temple of his soul until he realizes that it is a Holy of Holies, the house of God. This allows us to see our true worth.
Continue reading “True Worth”
Hope makes room for love in the world. It is something that we can all share and something in which we can all believe in.
Continue reading “The Bright Light of Hope”
We are all looking for something. These are the things sweet dreams are made of. At times, we aren’t even aware of what “it” is. But deep down it is to be known and to be loved.
Continue reading “The Pursuit “
We have many people we can look up to as role models to show us how to live a good life. Each of us is unique, with a specific purpose but we need teachers to help us grow along the way. People who help us broaden our perspective, help us think a little differently or challenge us to a deeper layer of awareness. Spiritually, others help us uncover another layer of who we are in God. These gifts help us get outside ourselves, cooperate with grace, and claim the peace we are promised.
Continue reading “Striving For Holiness “
Today I’m pondering the gift of faith. We receive this gift with our baptism whether if this be in church or a river.
Continue reading “Seeds of Faith”
St Thomas More said, “The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” The soul has to undergo tremendous mortifications at first, and then more refined detachments, until finally its Divine image is revealed. Because mortification is recognized as a practice of death, there is fittingly inscribed in Latin on the tomb of John Duns Scotus, “twice died, but buried only once.”
Continue reading “Daily Practice “
Anxiety and peace. Fear and faith. Am I living well in the balance of “and” today? I’m learning that I really don’t like “in between” but in this vulnerable place, I hold the tension of “and.” This is the holy space in the middle of things despite my wanting to be firmly placed in what I deem “the better side.”
Continue reading “The Balance of And”
All of us live with the unsettling reality that at some point, our life will cease to be as we know it. We know in our bones: no matter how good, beautiful, true, or exciting a thing or state of affairs is here below, it is destined to pass into nonbeing.
Continue reading “Focusing on What Matters”
As I examine my life, I see it littered with little sufferings. Some are simple—interruptions, inconveniences, annoyances. Some are a bit bigger—a family member’s health crisis, financial difficulties, a job that is not fulfilling my expectations, or watching your child grow into adulthood —beyond the suffering and illness and even death. Trauma, tragedy, it’s all there no matter what our vocational state—suffering is part of all lives.
Continue reading “Suffering Into Detachment “
Smitten With Goodness 