These Will Be The Questions On Your Final Exam
It's the end of the world and we all need to pass the final exam. If you have come to church the last three weeks, you now know the test questions. Since no one else seems to be preparing for the test, is it safe to assume we don't have to, either?
The Final Accounting
Our master is Jesus. What does Jesus love? He as certainly not a lover of money, power, pleasure, or popularity. Jesus loves God, and he loves God's people. If we want to be worthy servants of our master, we need to learn to love what Jesus loves.
Are You Wise or Foolish? Here's How You Can Tell
The will is the power of the soul that is moved by the good. I want it because at looks good for me. The wise person learns to sift for what is truly good. The fool will choose whatever looks good on the surface. Which one are you?
Healthy Sexuality Leads to Freedom and Peace
What would happen if doctors kept changing their teachings on healthy living to match whatever unhealthy habits were popular at the moment? We know what healthy sexuality looks like, but here are five reasons that priests have not taught the truth.
Have Your Friends Ever Met a Christian?
Most people in Rome in the 1500's were infatuated with worldly pleasures and the pursuit of power, fame, and wealth. They thought Christianity was boring, but they had never met an actual Christian. Do your friends find Christianity boring?
What Does "I Love You" Really Mean?
Too often the words, "I love you," actually mean, "You make me feel good," or "You look useful to me." Since God is love, we can only really learn true love from God himself. Christians must incarnate God's love in our love for our neighbor.
The One Thing That Does Not Belong to God
Are you working with God in accomplishing his plans, or working against him? Let us remember that human beings are stamped in the image of God. This should tell us what we must do with the gift of our lives.
Is Your Heart Ready for the Playground?
All are welcome in God's kingdom. We have to not only accept the invitation, but also allow us to be transformed on the inside. The playground is ready for you. Is your heart ready for the playground?
Don't Be a Turkey in the Vineyard
Our annual commitment to Stewardship is not about giving more, but being more intentional about what we give. I recently had a run-in with turkeys who thought they were the boss of the place. Be a good steward, not a turkey.
Second Chances to Serve God
Would you rather have a priest who tried to be good, even if he didn't always succeed, or a priest who was just good at looking good? Just like priests, many Catholics have responded to God's call with, "Yes, sir!"--but we didn't go work in the vineyard.
Hoe Your Own Row
We are perfectly happy with our lot in life until we compare ourselves with others. Bishop Barron reminds us: “…your life is not about you. You’re not in control. This is not your project.” Your little corner of God’s kingdom should be free of envy.
L'eggo my Ego!
Forgiving my brother is counter-intuitive. The tighter I cling to my own ego, the more I make myself responsible for my own security and value. And the worse it gets. Forgiving others helps me to slide back into the sweet spot of gratitude and generosity.
Sometimes You Love from a Distance
The Lord be with you! Remain in His love! Judgement and mercy go hand-in-hand in the heart of Jesus. If my brother sins against me... I remain in God's love. The door is open, mercy is offered, but I need to love him from a distance.
A Cord of Three Strands Is Not Easily Broken
Jesus does not see God's will as an outside imposition on his freedom, but rather as a path that leads to true life. We too are made to be a sacrifice. "Man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.”
Bad Steward, Good Steward
Shebna has been a bad steward. God will replace him with a better steward. God has made you a steward of his creation. Do you want to be a great steward? I suggest three things that will help you not turn out like Shebna.
Three Life Lessons From Whitewater Kayaking
I recently paddled down a whitewater section of the Wolf River. Among other things, I learned three important lessons that also apply to our spiritual lives: hug the rocks, eddy out, and you can surf the waves.
Sharing in the Glory of the Son
At the Transfiguration, we see Jesus radiant with the glory of the Beloved Son. He wants to make your faces glow with love and joy. Listen to Him, and you will share His glory now and forever.
Finding Buried Treasure
Wisdom has never been more necessary, nor in such short supply. Where do we start if we want to become wise?
Why Is the Master Patient with the Weeds?
Why doesn't God do something about all the bad actors out there? You can only tell the weeds by the fruit they produce . God is waiting to see what kind of fruit will appear. Perhaps we are the ones who most benefit from God's patience.
The Burdens We Carry
I think most of us feel burdened. Where are these burdens coming from? Your ego is a terrible burden. Your fears and expectations are a heavy load. Compared to these heavy burdens, God's yoke is easy, and his burden is light.
The Source of True Security
Despite the appearances of security, many of us are affected by a deep feeling of insecurity. We might turn to money, success, or a spouse for a sense of security, but none can give us true security. Let me show you where I found security.
Sheep on a Mission
When men fail to love as the Father loves, the people around them feel like sheep without a shepherd. Men must guide, provide for, and protect God's children. Love is our mission and God will help us to fulfill it.
Food For Our Pilgrim Journey
Catholics sometimes act as if the Eucharist were the only place that God is still present in the world. We think of faith as a static, sitting-in-church kind of thing. My annual walking pilgrimage helps correct these errors.
The Puzzle of Individual vs Community
Communism sacrifices individuals to maximize the common good. Consumer capitalism maximizes individuality at the expense of the common good. Can we have both? Yes! Our uniqueness reaches its full potential in communion with God and others.
Holy Spirit is Life and Love
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and enkindle in me the fire of your Love. The Holy Spirit is life. The Holy Spirit is love. When we ask the Holy Spirit to come, we are asking for more of God’s life and more of his love.
Jesus Ascends so the Holy Spirit Can Descend
Instead of restoring the Kingdom to Israel, Jesus ascends into heaven. Instead of being in one place at one time, he is now in all times and all places. He goes up so the Spirit can come down.
A Cloister In Your Heart
Monasteries have a cloister that is closed to the world but open to the heavens. So our hearts must have a place that is open to the presence of God but protected from the world. Open your heart to receive God’s love at Mass and then cherish that gift.
Tuning In To Your Vocation
A television has nothing to offer unless it is tuned to a signal. In the same way, we are called to be so tuned in that others see God’s image in us. I will share with you some ways to improve your reception.
An Unexpected Guest
You are driving home from church one day when you suddenly realize Jesus is in the back seat. "I've always been with you," he says, "but you were never able to see me until now." Jesus really is with you. Pray that you can see Jesus and be Jesus
Merciful Jesus, I Trust in You
We Christians are staying close to the empty tomb. What else can the Resurrection teach us? The wounds of Jesus mean that his heart suffers for us. He meets Thomas and heals his doubt. He meets us in Confession and heals our wounds with his tender mercy.
New Life Growing from the Empty Tomb
The empty tomb doesn't really prove the Resurrection. Have you seen the Risen Jesus working in the world? Brenda wanted to join the Catholic Church and she got a little help... from the Holy Spirit. You say, “I believe,” but do your actions show it?
The Secret to Jesus' Success
Jesus was the most successful man that ever lived. Was he smarter, stronger, or tougher than the rest of us? No, Jesus was successful because he was obedient. We, too, will be successful if we are obedient. Three things will help you do it.
Why We Wash Feet on Holy Thursday
Jesus is about to leave his disciples in charge of his Church. Jesus is the perfect Servant Leader, and he wants to give authority only to those who are willing to serve. Go home and wash your wife's feet. Authority is given only to servants.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
Everyone who seeks the glory of this world will end up disappointed. Jesus does not regret his Passion. He can look back on the Passion and say, "It was worth it. It was all worth it. You were worth it.” Can we learn to seek what Jesus seeks?
Faith that is Stronger than Death
Jesus goes right to the place where it hurts. We have to take away the barriers that keep this place rotting within us. The human race has always been "tied up" by the fear of death. Jesus unties the human race and lets us go free.
How to Exercise Authority
St. Joseph’s wife was sinless and his son was God, so if anything went wrong, clearly it was Joseph's fault. Why would God put someone in that situation? And how did Joseph manage to succeed at a seemingly impossible task?
Open My Eyes, Lord
Jesus opens the eyes of the blind man. He has opened my eyes to his power to heal us. I experienced healing for a sore back. And healing from a feeling of homelessness. What does Jesus want to help you heal?
Stop Praying Like a Pagan
Far too many of us pray like pagans. We believe we need to get God's attention and somehow convince him to be kind to us. God allows us to experience neediness so that we can turn to him. Don’t hate your neediness! Let Jesus meet you there.
Transfigured by Delight
The disciples cannot see God the Father but they see the glory of God reflected in Jesus. Right now, God the Father is gazing at you with the same love, delight, and glory with which he looks at Jesus. Come into delight.
The Devil Was Trying to Steal Something from Jesus
What can we learn from the temptation of Jesus? Lent will be challenging. Your identity will be tested. Do you trust your Father to provide for you and protect you? Do you choose to be on obedient child?
I Woke Up in the Pigsty This Morning
We are so busy trying to fill ourselves that we don't notice the distance between ourselves and God. The ashes on our foreheads say, "Today I woke up in the pigsty, and I come to my senses and started my journey back to my Father."
Can I See Some ID?
The biggest crisis of our time is not war in Ukraine, ongoing pandemics, or natural disasters. We are suffering from a crisis of identity. Baptism teaches us who we are. In fact, it gives us not just one, but three identities.
Just Good at Looking Good?
Do you really want to be good, or are you willing to settle for looking good? Jesus teaches us with the authority of God himself. He shows us how to go beyond the appearances to live a truly good life.
The Power of One Candle
February 2nd commemorates the day that Mary and Joseph presented the Christ child in the temple. Only Simeon and Anna could see the profound meaning behind this ordinary moment. Do you feel like a dim candle? Your light can do more than you realize.
I Feel So Blessed When...
What does it take to be happy? Jesus tells us that we should feel so blessed when we experience being, "beggars in spirit.” This, and the rest of the Beatitudes, only make sense if, as it turns out, my life is not about me.
Why So Few People Choose the Road to Happiness
We all want to be happy. But we end up looking for happiness like a blind pig rooting for truffles. The disciples found the road to happiness in the most unexpected place. They have lit the way so that you can find it more easily.
Behold the Lamb of God!
This title refers to Jesus Christ as the innocent, perfect sacrifice. Where does sacrifice come from? What does it mean for us today? If you’re not living a life of sacrifice, you’re missing out on a lot of blessings.
The Father Blesses His Children
Today we “zoom out” from the Baby Jesus and we notice two things. First, we see the spiritual motherhood of Mary. Second, we see the Fatherhood of God in three different places. Let me show you how to spot it.
The Warmth and Light of Christmas
A young couple welcomes God's Love into the world. The shepherds are warmed and the wise men are enlightened. Draw near the stable and let God’s love warm your heart and enlighten your mind.
When Did God Start Preparing for Christmas?
There are three key prophecies that help us see how God prepared the gift that is Jesus. Do you shy away from welcoming Emmanuel, God-with-you? Mary and Joseph will show you how to welcome the Christ Child.
A Kolache Waiting to be Filled
Only a relationship with God will fulfill us. So why do we keep God at a distance? It gets dry between the rains and we can be tempted to do something to fill the emptiness. Wait for the Lord to come and fill you with the warmth of his love.
Disciple, Mother, Queen
What can the Immaculate Conception teach us? We only have one Savior, Jesus. He saved Mary and preserved her from all sin for our sake. It is for your sake that Mary was conceived immaculately. Spend some time talking to your Mother today.
The Harder I Try to Fill The Emptiness, The More Empty I Feel
What are some of the ways that you try to fill yourself. I know because we all do it. But the harder we try to fill ourselves, the emptier we feel. Advent reminds us that only One can fill us, and we need to wait for him.
Why We Often Feel Empty
Each of us is handmade. We were made by God; his fingerprints are all over us. We were made for God and only the King can fulfill me. Advent is a time to prepare, and not just for a family visit, but for a visit from the King himself.