Joy When The Holidays Are Tough
No matter how difficult our circumstances are, nothing can take away the joy of Bethlehem. Nothing can take away Emmanuel.
Poverty of Spirit
Having less now means having more later. It’s a promise in the Gospels, for Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Advent: A Time To Foster Specialness
Advent is a time dedicated to preparation. Preparation for reliving Christmas, and preparation for Christ’s second coming at the end of the world. But most importantly, preparation for the coming of Jesus into our hearts. And most practically, it’s an opportunity to get out ahead of the busyness of life and get the most out of Christmas.
God the Initiator
God is the initiator. He’s in control. If something happens, God is directing us. If something doesn’t happen, God is protecting us.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing, what would it be? This question has made for some fascinating reflection and prayer times for me over the years.
Wisdom and Decision Making
When faced with a decision, Fr. Mike recommends we ask four questions: is it a good door? It is an open door? Is it a wise door? Do I want it?
Emotional Rehab: What Injuries Teach Us About Forgiveness
I think we can all agree that relationships are both necessary and risky. As painful as my shoulder injury was, it pales in comparison to the emotional pain I’ve experienced from being hurt by other people. If I had a choice between reliving my shoulder injury or reliving the worst time someone hurt me, I’d go back up the wall, and this time I’d aim for style points.
Do You Think You’re Bad At Music?
I used to tell everyone I was bad at violin. For a long time I genuinely believed it. I first felt this in high school. I still remember an instructor telling me after an underwhelming assessment: ‘John, you’ve plateaued.’ Those words stuck with me as I prepared for my second attempt at auditioning for the top level orchestra at our school.
God is Generous
It’s so easy to get so caught up in viewing things from the perspective of our financial limitations that we can forget what we truly want. Even worse, we can close our ears to what God wants for our lives. I’ve seen time and time again that when money is the only good reason against doing something, it’s worth taking a second look at our options from a posture of prayer. When I asked myself in prayer what I would do if I had an infinite amount of money, the matter was instantly clarified: “of course I would go learn Spanish, and of course I’d go support my brother seminarian at his ordination.” As I realized this, the following words rang in my heart: “God is generous.”
Alive & Thrive
There is nothing like feeling a deep sense of certitude that we are where we are supposed to be. I believe it is engrained in the human heart, to live a particular calling and mission with its various adventures. It comes down to this: God wants us to be alive and to thrive.
