A very devout and holy woman is trying to pray, but she isn’t feeling very much comfort. She’s been struggling with temptations (of the flesh) lately, and has been wondering where God is in all this. In her frustration she actually calls out: “Lord, where were you when my heart was being tormented by so…Continue reading God is closer than you think
Gina was at Mass. She was really trying to pay attention to the readings this week and not let her mind wander. As she listened Gina recognized the second reading: that famous one from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians about love being patient; love being kind. And she thought to herself, “Bill and I…Continue reading God is love
Did you ever try to help someone out who was having a problem? And even though the issues are as plain as day to you, the person just can’t see it for themselves? Even worse, the guy really doesn’t want to hear anything about it. In their view, the problem lies with others, not with…Continue reading I am a sinner
A man is standing over a hospital bed, looking down at his wife who is being anointed by a priest. The whole nightmare began just three days ago when Mary collapsed on the living room floor. Then, it seemed she would rally while she was in intensive care, and then another, and more severe stroke,…Continue reading Surrender to God
Robert had to admit, this past year was the worst of his life. Murphy’s Law seemed to be working in high gear, and in some circumstances Murphy brought his friends along with him. Probably the worst experience was when he was accused of mismanaging funds where he worked. He could really sense evil in that…Continue reading See the Light of Christ
Jane was having a hard time trying to figure out what God was doing in her life. Jane was a nurse who was just offered a position as the head of nursing at a major teaching hospital in the city. Her responsibilities would greatly increase of she took this position, and she would have a…Continue reading Release and Receive
Have you ever heard the story of St Anthony of the Desert? He is the first of the Desert Fathers of the fourth century in Egypt. I’d like to share with you the story of his calling. One day, as he enters a church, he hears read the classical passage from Matthew 19 which is…Continue reading What should we do?
Frank wasn’t sleeping well lately. He had been fretting over something that he had done in his past. Something that, as he looks at it now, he wonders how he could have been so foolish (stupid). And the more he found himself putting things right with God after a long time away from faith and…Continue reading In God’s Hands
It wasn’t until Jeremy was in his early 40’s that he realized that it was time to grow up. And what made him start looking at things differently was when he had gone to his father, yet again, asking for money. Jeremy was in another “tight spot”—-no fault of his own—-and he needed money to…Continue reading Advent, A time of reflection
Here’s a scene from A Man for All Seasons. It’s the scene where King Henry VIII is trying to coax Thomas More to agree to Henry’s divorce of his wife, Katherine of Aragon. They are in the garden as Henry is speaking: “You must consider, Thomas, that I stand in peril of my soul. It…Continue reading Be steadfast in faith for Christ
Joe was very discouraged. His addiction was making him feel terrible about himself. Only recently had he been even willing to acknowledge that it was an addiction! But, in his attempt to be totally honest with himself he had to admit that things had gotten to that point. He was determined to stop, but ended…Continue reading It’s never too late to return to God.
I’d like to share with you an old story. It’s about a young rabbi who was frustrated that the people of the synagogue didn’t recognize his gift of wisdom. He was a bitter and resentful man because of this. One day an old and revered rabbi was invited to the synagogue. He was recognized as…Continue reading It’s Up To You