HOLY SILENCE

A cool breeze Moves through the Late afternoon like a Generous thought. Unhurried Unannounced Loosening the hold of the new Heat, which waits patiently To take on everything and Everyone. Never asking, just arriving and Demanding summer. But the wind, sudden and full, Spills out from the ocean and Stretches across the sky Insisting on spring and lots of laughter The most human of sounds. Unguarded, contagious, and Committed to briefly abolishing All the seriousness of life. R

Even with all of our fragmentation, sin, and disconnectedness, we are called to take up our cross and follow Christ. What does that mean? On a daily basis, we are called to live in faith, hope, and love. Put differently, we are a people who believe and know that God exists, that God is a Trinity, that the second person of the Trinity was incarnate, and that the third person of the Most Holy Trinity is among us in a real way. For us, these are not simply a set of theological a

Spring's light does not arrive by force, But by a slow, faithful return. Each day grows longer, and What was once frozen strives to become A little more alive. Discernment shares this rhythm. There's rarely a blazing stroke of clarity, No sign carved bright in the sky. But a patient, quiet thaw. A subtle brightening, a gentle breathing. The soul leans into this warming Because it waits for the Spirit To whisper through what clamors. Stirring the inner life Relieving the soul

What a trio they've been Taking their turns Denying their actions Reframing events Misdirecting priorities Dread-inducing tirades Demanding obedience Plotting an ignominious decline. It all began so simply, so quietly Feelings dismissed Thoughts doubted Mind questioned Heart damaged Love twisted Loyalty muddled Priorities confused. Then it worsened Belittling continued Apologies demanded Never valued Second guessed Future scrapped Confusion reigned Evidence destroyed. Their p

"Whether we believe or not, we belong to God. Whether we understand it or not, or feel His presence or not, or rejoice in that presence or not, He exists. "He is my God. He is my Lord. Even during moments of darkness and terror, when God doesn’t exist for me, He still exists. "When I feel I’m a failure, when all my efforts seem fruitless, when my life seems to have passed in vain, Christ is still my Christ. "He is there for me no matter what happens. He exists irrespective of

We are all prodigal sons and daughters because we waste what we have: family, friends, and other relationships; the Church, the parish, and most importantly, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This gospel, however, teaches us more than that. It is a reminder that we have to let go of our sins and shortcomings in order to heal and to grow in the knowledge that God exists and He loves us. That is why Confession is so important and why forgiving each other is so important

For 33 years, Christ walked upon this earth All the way up to Golgotha Beaten, broken, and bloodied High atop a cross. For 33 months, Someone I know has been carrying a cross Down a treacherous path they did not choose. It's been a slow crucifixion made with the kinds of Nails and thorns you don't expect from familiar hands. But evil won't get its way in the end. After 33 years, Christ's tomb did not have the final word. In a similar way I ask and I implore ... That during th

Today, the people of God are enlightened by the knowledge that the Feast of Theophany/Epiphany is approaching and are awakened to the need for repentance through which we are all called to the Sacrament of Confession. As an extension of this, we are reminded in these first days of the new year to ask ourselves: what have I done and what have I failed to do? Do I bow down before God? Do I acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit inside me and outside me? Have I asked for the he

When the apostles witnessed Your death, They scattered in fear, with their hopes shattered. For days they huddled behind locked doors, Paralyzed by grief and confusion. So too we often find ourselves in such dark rooms— Suffering, uncertain, waiting for a Deliverance we cannot imagine. Yet You did not abandon them. You appeared, breathed peace upon them, and at Pentecost sent Your Holy Spirit to Transfigure these trembling disciples into bold witnesses. Teach us patience in o

It is important to remember that, ultimately, we do not get to follow our own timelines or the timelines of others. Instead, we are called to listen to God, to discern what it is that we are called to do, and to wait for the appointed time for our calling to take root in our lives and in the world. Always remember that God is with you. And He will give you the peace, the place, the strength, and the timing to do what needs to be done. If you have a question or a prayer reques