Every week we may experience actions from others that may offend or hurt us. This could be as simple as another person cutting us off or a person saying something condescending. Often we are ready to forgive them after a few hours or a day, but there are times when the actions against us are extremely hurtful and forgiving is equally difficult. What then? Here are some steps we can take in the forgiveness process.
Read MoreThe transfiguration is one of my favorite scenes of the Gospels. In fact, I meditate on it and on Jesus’ manifested glory every week as a means to help me become closer to God and increase the virtue of Hope. As soon as Jesus asked Peter, John, and James to the mountain you knew something big was about to happen. After all, Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, Jesus chose the 12 apostles on a mountain top, and He delivered the powerful Beatitudes sermon on a mount by the Sea of Galilee. God had revealed Himself on a mountain before and He was about to do it again.
Read MoreA prayer and act of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Read MoreA prayer and act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Read MoreBy their nature it is difficult to know exactly what Jesus meant through his parables. He used their local scenery, culture, and every day acts to explain deep theological concepts in ways that uneducated people of His time could understand. This makes it somewhat difficult for us in the 21st century to understand, as we may not know some of their local customs and practices. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) is one that appears easy, but the meaning may not be as obvious.
Read MoreThere are times in our lives when we feel attacked and persecuted. When people turn against us for no good reason. Perhaps out of jealousy, misunderstanding, the need for power and control, or many other reasons. We may feel victims of injustice. The situation may not make sense. Why are they treating me so bad, when I was honest, caring, loving, a good worker? Injustices rarely make sense and they pierce one’s heart. We allow the evil in the world to hook us, to get to our heart and cause suffering.
Read MoreWith Ash Wednesday we begin the beautiful and important liturgical season of Lent. Even though Advent is such a happy season, full of light and joy, I actually prefer Lent. Perhaps because there are so many other distractions during Advent with parties, Christmas cards, gifts, special meals, etc. I like the simplicity of Lent, the reminder to repent, and the exhortation to imitate Jesus Christ. I appreciate the silence and self-reflection of the next 40 days. While our focus tends to be on what we are going to sacrifice, the real question needs to be what we need to change in our lives to become more holy, more Christ-like. Here are 7 things we should know about Lent
Read MoreSt Paul asked us to pray without ceasing, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5, 16-18). We have hundreds of prayers at our disposal to pray without ceasing, but the Jesus Prayer is a great one to help us pray every time we have a spare minute, or 10, or 20…
Read More“I do choose. Be made clean!” In this passage Jesus heals a leper, teaching us about faith and compassion.
Read MoreDo you pray the Angelus? The name of the prayer comes from the beginning of the prayer in Latin "Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ ("... the Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary ...") and the prayer commemorates the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus. The Angelus can be traced back to the 11th Century and it evolved from the times and prayers said in monasteries.
Read MoreToday we celebrate that over 150 years ago (February 11, 1858) the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, age 14, in front of the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. The apparition changed France and the world. We are still inspired and growing spiritually from Mary's message and Bernadette's experience.
Read MoreWe all crave to fill our whole being with God, but are often tempted to fulfill our hunger by these 4 substitutes for God.
Read MoreThis is a prayer for the sick. May God heal her body and soul, if it is His will
Read MoreUnderstanding more deeply Luke 2:22-38, when Jesus was presented in the temple. “22 When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 “
Read MoreAn inspirational quote from Archbishop Oscar Romero on social justice
Read MoreSurrender, listen, and allow to be molded by the Divine Potter.
Read MoreYesterday Pope Francis formally declared Archbishop Oscar Romero a martyr. (After many years of debate). There are so many spiritual lessons we can learn from this inspiring man.
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“I know that to do this (living in the presence of God) your heart must be empty of all other things because God desires to posses it exclusively, and he cannot posses it exclusively without first emptying it of everything other than himself; neither can he act within it nor do what he pleases.”
This blog explores our spiritual growth, our journey seeking holiness in every day life.
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