Speaking a difficult truth

If we're given a chance to speak truth to power, we must tell all the truth, unvarnished and caustic as it is. The Gospel requires a full accounting of the truth.

Beauty

To behold his beauty is the essential act of worship. All the senses we have are brought together in his holy sanctuary, to draw us into his presence, so that we can know him, and be known by him.

Into our own depths

It can be frightening to descend to the depths of our own hearts, to find the crevices where hurt is buried. But in other crannies we find treasures.

What does justice look like?

The kind of justice that seems the good if the other complies with all the tenets of the Gospel.

Songs of prayer

When prayer takes a central place in our day, it has an effect on the world that we can't even fathom. Don't underestimate the power of the words of your prayers on the people and places around you.

Not all praise

The Christian walk is not all praise. Sometimes our hearts are crushed by the weight of sorrow or concern over a loved one. But it hope it's that Good hearts not only our exuberant praise but our longings and lamentations as well.

Wisdom's price

Like a plumb line to a carpenter, wisdom gives is an unerring sense of rightness, and the students to act according to its dictates.

Being holy

There is no direct route to sanctity, that is, a holy life, but there is a map. Daily study of The Scriptures in-forms us, giving our faith life a firm inner structure. 

Unbind him!

Jesus commanded the onlookers in Bethany to remove Lazarus's grave clothes. Even after Jesus raised him from the dead, Lazarus needed the attention of fellow humans. Our work must be to unbind, heal, strengthen others, especially for those recently liberated from their sins.

Never die

Believing in Jesus means putting trust in Him, ordering your life to follow, to imitate and to serve Him. This is where the resurrection does its work of creating everlasting life 

Urgency

We feel an urgency to do what we can in the short time we have. We need to work while there is light. But the good news is that JESUS is the light!

Favorite verses

If you could have one verse hanging on your wall, so that you could see it numerous times a day, which verse would you choose? What does this verse say to you? Are there words you could savor like a tasty dish? Are there words that cut you and wound you?

From first to last

God's metrics are very different from ours. He measures our goodness in terms of where we put ourselves relative to others. How we use our things tells him much about where we place our love.

Great Cloud of Witnesses

Does it give you comfort to think that all those who have struggled for the faith over 20 centuries are watching us and cheering for us?

True-hearted

It's impossible to be happy and content all the time. But through faith, our emotions can take the shadow of our spirits, and mine toward health and joy, is we remain true-hearted.

A new me

It's easy to think of this verse in terms of some other person, or those who are new converts. But what does it mean for me, a person with a long time spiritual life, to still be a new creation every day? Do I need reconciliation every day?

Real freedom

True freedom comes from the knowledge that nothing can stop God from loving us. Regardless of where we are out what condition our souls are in, his love is ever faithful.

upsidedown

Everything the world teaches us is upside down from the Kingdom of God. The hardest parts of walking the Christian road are the points where our equilibrium is upset. Those who wish to be great if this Kingdom, must fight the urge to excel and to supercede.

Seasons of despair

At times it seems everything in life has turned against us and it's difficult to see God at work. Our hearts and minds are heavy and it feels as if even our faces carry a burden. If we only knew how long this period would last, it might give us strength. In seasons like this, we have to pray for trust, and look toward a day when our countenances will rejoice with our souls.

Trinity

What can we say about the Trinity that won't be wrong? Or confusing? Or laughable? What can we say that hasn't been said? 

How generous are we?

Nothing can compete with God's generosity. But we fail to realize our own capacity because we are restricted in how we view our possessions and our resources. We have so much overabundance that it blinds us.

Forgiveness and kindness

Sometimes it's hard to remember that forgiveness and kindness are siblings. We need both. We need to practice both. Sometimes we need to just be kind so that we can later manage to forgive.

Spirit leaps

The child John and his mother Elizabeth both listened daily for the voice of the Lord. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the presence of the Child Jesus was already known to them both. 

Fruits of the spirit

Jesus said we'll know how followers by their fruits, by what they do and say. A faith without good fruit, that is, righteous actions, is not faith but it might be religion.

Waiting on the dark

There are times when God seems to be making us wait for him, in silence, with no words for us. What do we do in those times?

Pure in heart

Do you know someone who is pure in heart? Their character is unclouded by selfish motives. They seek God in uncomplicated things and treat people with dignity. They do indeed see God

Buried and raised

What happens when we are baptized? Much more than we can imagine!! We take off one nature, like a costume, and reveal our true, new selves.

Small and great

Our size does not determine our importance to God. The smallest ones among us are the most powerful in the Kingdom. Those granted stature of any sort must become as a little child to become useful to the Kingdom.

Looking for my reflection

If I'm made in the image of God, how do I know an image of God when I see it? Does God look like me? Can Jesus be someone who looks like me?

The teacher who listens

To be a teacher means to constantly search for ways to sustain, to encourage and enlighten those who are listening. It means to be forever a learner as well, to listen as one who learns. 

What do we really need?

How much do we need, and how much can we relinquish? Where do our real needs meet the Savior's Grace?

Why forgive?

Why should I forgive? One reason is that we need to unburden ourselves before we can approach God. 

Gaining wisdom

What does it take to become wise? Can we borrow it? Or purchase it? Perhaps we catch it from spending time with those who have it.

Wisdom and knowledge

Both are necessary. They complement each other. Both are the result of seeking God in the things of this world, and looking at them in faith and wonder.

Safety

As we move through the world, we harden ourselves thinking we're protecting ourselves. How much defense, though, do we really need?

Shine your face upon me

In our moments of insecurity, it's good to remember that God is always looking upon us, his face shining with love.

What do we bring to the table?

In gratitude for Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, these three siblings used what they had available. Lazarus hosted a banquet, and Martha offered her skills and energy as a hostess. Mary took what she had, costly ointment she had saved for Jesus' burial, and extravagantly offered it in loving worship. 

In the smallest things

God comes to us in ways that we are capable of seeing him, including in the spring rains and puddles.

Multitudes of the isles

When we think of the lands that the Israelites lived in, especially David the Psalmist, we think of arid land. But David saw that even the far away peoples of island nations were able to bless the Lord.

The effect of prayer

Prayer creates a space within space where our senses and our spirits align us to God's kingdom.

San Óscar Romero, 24 marzo

What else is there? A passionate dedication to the poor and work to overcome inequalities.

In times of anxiety

Most times we know what is causing our anxiety, family stress, money problems, health concerns. But sometimes we're not even sure where the feelings find from. But Good is there ready to heal and protect us.

St. Patrick

What are the graces or blessings Good has bestowed upon me? Have I shared them as he commanded? What am I being selfish with?

Corpus Christi

When we celebrate the Eucharist together, whether we're actively imagining the Lord's presence or whether burdened by the world we are only fulfilling the ritual, he strengthens and nourishes us so that we can continue on the pilgrimage homeward.

Heart of a servant

In this image, it's not clear whether this man is the servant, or whether he is in need. Jesus calls us to identify closely with those around us, and to sell constantly to find ways to serve Him by serving others.

A good laugh

Today's quote is from Karl Rahner, German Jesuit who became a theologian of mysticism. To laugh is to join God in His enjoyment of the absurd beauty of human beings!

What is a simple faith?

My long time friend Ben Alford wrote a sermon about how his faith had changed over the years, but he got a lot of criticism and eventually lost his job for it. I consider him a hero.

Vessel of justice and love

Where do we get the inspiration to work for justice in the world? Where do we get the strength? How do we remain constant when so many evil things happen every day? We go back to the source, the broken heart of ardent love he has for us.

Who needs Jesus?

The Pharisees were annoyed that Jesus was hanging out with low lifes. But Jesus challenged their understanding of the Kingdom. It's not the strong, the wealthy, the well connected that the Kingdom is for, but rather those who have been left behind.

Be merciful

Imitating Christ will mean taking on his character traits as well as doing the things he did. I'm this image, I see a man who has received mercy from someone sharing that mercy with me.