Very strong is the language and powerful the imagery that we hear in our readings today. We can’t help but feel personally chastised and convicted by the directness of it all. Our Lord exclaims through the prophet Amos in our First Reading: “Woe to the complacent in Zion!” But because the readings in every Mass... Continue Reading →
The Cry of an Anguished Lover
The Cry of an Anguished Lover: A reflection on Genesis chapter 3 “Where are you?” The great tragedy of the human race… Man turning away from his Divine Lover in pursuit of lesser loves. Bishop Robert Barron once reflected on this Fall, calling the question of God in the Garden the “cry of an anguished... Continue Reading →
Seminary Is…
"What is it like to be a seminarian?" It is difficult to give an adequate answer to people when they ask this question. I wrote this post bit-by-bit over the course of my first semester in the seminary in an attempt to show you glimpses of what this life consists of. It is far more than going to classes... Continue Reading →
Arise, My Child
My child, You’ve fallen once more on your journey. You were quite pleased and thankful for the progress, by the grace of God, you were making before that moment came. Always be wary that your thankfulness does not turn into pride, for it is at that moment when you forget your dependence on God and... Continue Reading →
Jesus! You Are, I Am
5/28/15 Jesus! You are. You are mine. You are my heart’s desire, my question’s answer, my reason for being, for moving, for speaking, for singing. You are. You are my rock and my redeemer, my light to pierce my darkness, my shield from all that hurts me. You are. You are my joy and my... Continue Reading →
A Gift from Mary
This meditation occurred to me while praying the Rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday, May 23, 2015. I immediately scribbled down in my journal all that I could remember from the experience. The writing is short, informal, and plain, but it was a moment of profound prayer as Mary, Our Mother, communicated an... Continue Reading →
Responding to God’s Call: Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, who is a remarkable example to us of what it looks like to lay down one’s life out of love for God and one another. Maximilian Kolbe was a Franciscan missionary priest who founded the Militia Immaculata, a movement that encourages total consecration to the Blessed... Continue Reading →
True Freedom in Christ
This reflection was given at an adoration and benediction service on August 12, 2015. Brothers and sisters: That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged... Continue Reading →
What’s Your Golden Calf?
"When the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, 'Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for that man Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.'"... Continue Reading →
Are We Listening?
"The disciples approached him and said, 'Why do you speak to them in parables?'" -Mt. 13:10 Jesus speaks to us in many different, often unexpected ways. During His time on earth, one way He did so was through parables--stories about everyday things which the people were familiar with. We often think that God will speak... Continue Reading →
Total Surrender 