Something to reflect on this Lent: So God must have foreseen all my sins and rebellions against Him, all the trouble I would cause Him, including the hell of Calvary. Yet He chose to create me. (The word foreseen is not perfect in this context, for it seems to put God into time. But it […]
Looking through the Bible in my classroom, I found this scribbled on a notecard inside: When faced with anger and/or frustration, say “ARRR!” Acknowledge the emotion. Relate it to others. Relate it to God. Receive graces. Be open. Respond not from judgement, but out of love.
In light of my previous post and today’s scripture readings of the prophet Jonah calling out for the city of Nineveh to repent and Jesus calling to the two sets of brothers to follow him, God is calling all of us to him. Maybe God is calling out to you, “Marco?” Are you going to […]
There was a billboard at the interstate exit for my church. It was just recently replaced with an ad for a fastfood restaurant. For the last six months or so, everytime I exited, I would pull up to the stop sign at the access road, look right to check for sparse traffic, and then glace […]
Seen at la vie en rose…, here’s my version of an American Express ad: My name Mark childhood ambition architect fondest memory family holidays and gatherings soundtrack laughter, silence retreat reading, prayer wildest dream write and publish a book proudest moment my baptism at age 40 biggest challenge to live in the now alarm clock […]
“The Three Magi” by József Koszta Definition: epiphany — 1. a revelatory manifestation of a divine being. 2. a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something, a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization The Magi had to cross the desert to reach Bethlehem, to reach Jesus. Joseph […]
When you think of the first Christmas, do you think of Good Friday? When you see the Cross, do you think of the first Christmas? The life of Jesus is the bridge between the first Christmas and Good Friday, a bridge that leads to Easter Sunday, to redemption, reconciliation, liberation, to love, peace, and energy—a […]
Take time today to pause every now and then, take a deep breath of that moment, and know that God loves you. He will whisper “I love you” in a 1000 different ways.
Penni asks, “Do you remain Christ-centered and where is your balance?” I have no idea where my balance point is. As soon as I think I have found it, something knocks me off it, and I try my best to return to it. The funny thing is, as soon as I think I have returned […]
Good ole Psalm 23. A favorite of many (not mine, not yet). Last night, I heard several people say that they have always associated the psalm with death and the here-after, and then only after having recently meditated and prayed with it, did it change there whole perspective on it to mean something about the […]
Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and […]
I had a dream last night that I met Jesus. I had so longed to look into His eyes. And finally, there I was, face to face with Him. I looked deep into His eyes. I smiled and I cried. There was love. There was mercy. There was peace. It was awesome. Then I realized […]
It is raining outside at the moment—a good, steady rain. My classroom windows are open and a cool breeze is gently blowing in with the steady and sure sound of the rain. The color of sky is a cool and comforting early morning overcast gray. It is quiet at the moment, a moment before the […]
Just one path of grace: Love brings peace. Peace brings patience and dispels fear; which in turn reinforces hope, deepens faith, and creates a space for forgiveness; thus energizing love to flow to others. May God’s love, peace, and energy touch your heart. Update: Added lines about forgiveness.
In Your book were written all the days that were formed for me. — Psalm 139:16 You knew me before I was. You will still know me after I was. You know me now.
I recently heard Richard Rohr comment on another person’s research into the idea that the story you most remember or most identified with in your early childhood somehow shaped, or at least reflected, your personality. Furthermore, that story could have an effect in your style or approach to faith and spirituality. For example, Rohr said […]
For a long period after getting serious about reading/praying the psalms, I would always pause a bit when they mentioned enemies. As far as I know, I do not have any personal enemies, at least not from my point of view. More importantly, as a Christian, Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that […]
Maybe it was because it took me nearly forty years to finally come to faith (I joke that I am a little slow, kind of like the Israelites, because it took us forty years while it only took Jesus forty days!), or more likely that I manage on a good day to be open to […]
I rediscovered one of my favorite pieces of scripture. It does not necessarily bring peace, but it does re-center me in Christ. And that is what my heart aches for. You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to […]
Whoever flees prayer, flees all that is good! — St. John of the Cross I know this deep in my heart, but sometimes, it can be so hard. Why? Prayer should be the easiest, most natural thing in the world, to be drawn toward God. That is the direction I want to go, that is […]
An allegory: Many people never learn to float. They never manage to take the initial risk, to do the opposite of what their instincts tell them. They never learn to relax, to let their head be pillowed by the water, to let go, hang loose, float free. Perhaps they simply decide they don’t want to […]
“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?” The only toy that was kind to the Rabbit was the Skin Horse. The Skin Horse had lived in the nursery longer than any of the others, and he was very wise. “Real isn’t […]
At the risk of sounding pious, every morning when I first wake up, usually with my eyes still closed, I make a little sign of the cross on my forehead with my thumb and pray, “I’m Yours.” It reminds me of my Sacrament of Confirmation where Father traced the sign of the cross on my […]
From Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs: There’s no answer, no problem-solving, simply awareness. You cannot not live in the presence of God. You are totally surrounded by God as you read this. St. Patrick said, God beneath you, God in front of you, God behind you, God above you, God within you. You cannot earn this God. […]
Addendum: I should have titled this post, “Imperfections”. (Pun not intended.) I stepped into a chapel on Sunday. On the sloped ceiling above the sanctuary hung a large, round icon of Jesus. The colors were bright and vibrant, painted in a modern version of a Byzantine style icon of his face and shoulders. He had his right […]