Pain is temporary, love is eternal
— Mar 19, 2008
I once saw a TV commercial claiming that a certain mattress would provide “a lifetime of temporary relief.” I laughed out loud. This mattress would ease your suffering for a lifetime, but only a few hours at a time. Forever temporarily – isn’t that an oxymoron?
— Mar 19, 2008
I once saw a TV commercial claiming that a certain mattress would provide “a lifetime of temporary relief.” I laughed out loud. This mattress would ease your suffering for a lifetime, but only a few hours at a time. Forever temporarily – isn’t that an oxymoron?
Triduum is a worthwhile three-day pilgrimage
— Mar 13, 2008
On Holy Thursday evening, Catholics often visit several other parishes, because every parish stays open for a few hours after the liturgy for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This year I am inviting the young adults of our diocese to join me on a pilgrimage of seven church visits that evening.
— Mar 13, 2008
On Holy Thursday evening, Catholics often visit several other parishes, because every parish stays open for a few hours after the liturgy for quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This year I am inviting the young adults of our diocese to join me on a pilgrimage of seven church visits that evening.
Questions to consider during Lent
— Mar 6, 2008
In recent weeks I have been struck by a theme that often emerges in the Lenten liturgical readings: We are chosen by God.
— Mar 6, 2008
In recent weeks I have been struck by a theme that often emerges in the Lenten liturgical readings: We are chosen by God.
Forgiveness is available in the sacrament of reconciliation
— Feb 28, 2008
Commenting on the parable of the prodigal son, Father Carroll Stuhlmueller once wrote, “The most difficult of reconciliations is always between relatives who have been split apart by money, scandal and wasteful living. Civil wars are always the bloodiest with the deepest scars.”
— Feb 28, 2008
Commenting on the parable of the prodigal son, Father Carroll Stuhlmueller once wrote, “The most difficult of reconciliations is always between relatives who have been split apart by money, scandal and wasteful living. Civil wars are always the bloodiest with the deepest scars.”
Distractions can derail our relationship with God
— Feb 20, 2008
Sometimes people think it would be easier to avoid distractions if one joined a monastery. The Poor Clare nuns at Annunciation Monastery in Minooka and the monks at Saint Procopius Abbey in Lisle will quickly tell you otherwise. Distractions follow us wherever we go.
— Feb 20, 2008
Sometimes people think it would be easier to avoid distractions if one joined a monastery. The Poor Clare nuns at Annunciation Monastery in Minooka and the monks at Saint Procopius Abbey in Lisle will quickly tell you otherwise. Distractions follow us wherever we go.
Aspire to be a true disciple of Christ
— Feb 13, 2008
You and I don’t find it any easier to follow Jesus than did countless Christians who have gone before us. But just like them, we can take courage in his unfailing fidelity to us, his patience and his mercy as we aspire with all our strength to become true disciples and not just admirers.
— Feb 13, 2008
You and I don’t find it any easier to follow Jesus than did countless Christians who have gone before us. But just like them, we can take courage in his unfailing fidelity to us, his patience and his mercy as we aspire with all our strength to become true disciples and not just admirers.
Lenten sacrifices help us grow in trust
— Feb 8, 2008
Lenten seasons long ago, my parents taught us to recognize that many things we considered essential to daily life—especially favorite foods and entertainments—were in fact secondary and that we could live without them with just a little effort.
— Feb 8, 2008
Lenten seasons long ago, my parents taught us to recognize that many things we considered essential to daily life—especially favorite foods and entertainments—were in fact secondary and that we could live without them with just a little effort.
The insidious power of racism
— Jan 30, 2008
From an early age I had been aware that our southern city was divided by race and economics, though at first I did not fully understand how that division unjustly determined so many details of daily life. My parents had taught us to treat all people with respect, and they practiced what they preached.
— Jan 30, 2008
From an early age I had been aware that our southern city was divided by race and economics, though at first I did not fully understand how that division unjustly determined so many details of daily life. My parents had taught us to treat all people with respect, and they practiced what they preached.
Use words to affirm rather than offend
— Jan 23, 2008
Among the things forbidden in our house as I was growing up—vulgar, racist or blasphemous words—was the word “stupid.” To be honest, at first it struck me as odd that we were not allowed to use that word, because it seemed fairly benign as words go. I gradually came to realize that it was off-limits because it is a cheap word too easily thrown around to offend or belittle.
— Jan 23, 2008
Among the things forbidden in our house as I was growing up—vulgar, racist or blasphemous words—was the word “stupid.” To be honest, at first it struck me as odd that we were not allowed to use that word, because it seemed fairly benign as words go. I gradually came to realize that it was off-limits because it is a cheap word too easily thrown around to offend or belittle.
Keep a spiritual perspective
— Jan 16, 2008
All of us use certain guideposts, benchmarks and roadmaps to keep us on the right path and clear of danger. “As long as you can see the yellow line,” “As long as the fuel indicator light doesn’t come on,” “As long as…” Each of us fills in the blank. Even if we don’t always pay attention to our guideposts, we know we should, and we know instinctively what will happen if we ignore them.
— Jan 16, 2008
All of us use certain guideposts, benchmarks and roadmaps to keep us on the right path and clear of danger. “As long as you can see the yellow line,” “As long as the fuel indicator light doesn’t come on,” “As long as…” Each of us fills in the blank. Even if we don’t always pay attention to our guideposts, we know we should, and we know instinctively what will happen if we ignore them.
Everything is about love
— Jan 10, 2008
There is an intuition shared by all of us through which we know deep within that everything is about love, that everything is resolved in love. It is an intuition sometimes clouded and blurred by suffering, sadness, confusion, doubt, sin, selfishness and the condition of the world itself. Ironically, even such clouds prove the intuition true.
— Jan 10, 2008
There is an intuition shared by all of us through which we know deep within that everything is about love, that everything is resolved in love. It is an intuition sometimes clouded and blurred by suffering, sadness, confusion, doubt, sin, selfishness and the condition of the world itself. Ironically, even such clouds prove the intuition true.
The birth of Christ is the centerpiece of God’s unfolding plan
— Dec 19, 2007
We still marvel at the birth of Jesus. We savor the biblical images because they bring us peace and fill us with hope at this time, and in this place. Yet they bring us peace not because he was born into a perfect world that knew no sorrow, but because he knew what he was getting into—the world, our world.
— Dec 19, 2007
We still marvel at the birth of Jesus. We savor the biblical images because they bring us peace and fill us with hope at this time, and in this place. Yet they bring us peace not because he was born into a perfect world that knew no sorrow, but because he knew what he was getting into—the world, our world.
Surrender to the Advent of God in our midst
— Dec 12, 2007
— Dec 12, 2007
Would I go to the lengths of the paralyzed man to get close to Jesus? Do I arrange my schedule—my life—so that nothing will get in the way of my spending time with him? Would I help someone, as did the paralytic’s four friends, get close to Jesus?
Like Peter, would I be willing to surrender to Jesus the use of my trade (my skills), my computer (my words), my desk (my influence)—my life—so that every responsibility before me is given in discipleship to him?
Receive God in the present moment
— Dec 6, 2007
Just as we would never drive our car merely by looking behind through the rearview mirror, so we would never drive merely by looking ahead through binoculars. In either case we would miss what is right before our eyes.
— Dec 6, 2007
Just as we would never drive our car merely by looking behind through the rearview mirror, so we would never drive merely by looking ahead through binoculars. In either case we would miss what is right before our eyes.
Keep an Advent ‘inner diary’
— Nov 28, 2007
I have never kept a diary, though at the time of my ordination to the priesthood I was strongly encouraged to do so by Xaverian Brother Randal Riede, (1917-2003), a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier. His encouragement was not unique to me, for he offered it to all who would listen.
— Nov 28, 2007
I have never kept a diary, though at the time of my ordination to the priesthood I was strongly encouraged to do so by Xaverian Brother Randal Riede, (1917-2003), a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier. His encouragement was not unique to me, for he offered it to all who would listen.