This morning in liturgy the phrase “Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain” (I Timothy 6:6) hit me like a soft pillow to the face. For a moment, I felt like everything would be OK. I felt like at that very moment, should Jesus have given me a vibe check, I would have passed. …
When I’m worried and I can’t sleepI count my blessings instead of sheepAnd I fall asleep counting my blessings.. (White Christmas, 1954. If you can’t hear that in Bing Crosby’s voice we can’t be friends.) I like my job. Every day I cook meals and snacks for students who are in the pursuit of truth, …
In Genesis 33 we read the account of Jacob reconciling with Esau. If you remember, the brothers had had a major falling out due to a sold birthright (sold/stolen….potato/patahto) and blessing of the patriarch gone awry. Now after many years they would face one another again. The whole cohort was on the move—a pilgrimage let’s …
Need some reading and listening recommendations that are beautiful and thoughtful? I mean, you probably have your own recommendations, which you should send to me. In case you are interested in what is feeding my mind lately here you go. For reading: This book is gorgeous. The imagery is lovely and profound. I underlined and …
I didn’t use to believe in it. But, I did it anyway. Now I believe in it and do it even more. I am speaking of praying for the dead. There is something about it we cannot help. Even people who claim to not believe in Purgation will say things such as, “May they Rest …
I grew up with a version of the Prosperity Gospel. Not a pure version, mind you. Because we were not wealthy. We were pretty healthy though, despite everything. Maybe we couldn’t manifest money, but in lieu of health insurance, we certainly saw more than our share of divine healing. I say that without an ounce …
Last night I got to share my conversion story with the women’s group at my parish. It was the first time I have given my testimony in a public way. It was a blessing to be able to share my excitement and the honor I feel in being Catholic.
(I apologize for how fast I talk and for hand movements that when seen without the audio look something like interpretive dance.)
I got there early, one of the first, because my son was serving at the altar and my daughter was singing with the cantor. I sat in the back and prayed. Breathing deeply I took in the stained glass windows, the wood work, the altar piece. And I watched people come in. Old people who …
I didn’t grow up with the Sacraments. Yes, I was baptized and received Communion (as often as it was offered, which was about once a month. The focal point of a Protestant worship service is not the Eucharist.) but I don’t recall them ever being called Sacraments. They were symbols. I was also married in …
Long before I even considered becoming Catholic, I found that on moral issues I was in the Catholic camp more often than not. For some reason, in my own Protestant churches, I could not find a lot of common ground on some things I considered very important. Such as: the indissolubility of marriage, abortion, birth …
reconciling things 