HOLY SILENCE

Thomas Sunday brings great excitement because we have seen the true light in the Resurrection and are now awaiting the great and holy feasts of Ascension and Pentecost. In fact, today's gospel indicates to us that the apostles, disciples, and believers (even some non-believers) were gathering, waiting, and hoping (just like we do today) for all those things that Jesus promised would unfold ... and they did .... right in front of their eyes, and now, deep in our hearts. This S

These words of St. Thomas the Apostle refer, at a practical level, to the need to comfort a person and their family (Lazarus in this case) in times of sickness and death. They also refer to the need to die to ourselves every day, so that we may live and die with Christ in this life and the next. If you have a question or prayer request, please reach out here . If you can donate, please click here .

A short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read : "If the Holy Spirit is peace of soul ... as He is in reality, and if anger is disturbance of heart, as it actually is ... then nothing so prevents His presence in us as anger" (St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent , Step 8: On Freedom from Anger, #14). Ponder: Anger is a killer that destroys our relationship with God, self, and others. Here are a few steps we can take to reduce or e

On this Sunday of St. John Climacus, we are reminded to climb the ladder of faith, hope, love, and knowledge so that we better understand what is malformed in us. We also learn how we can grow toward the Divine by dying to the self, listening for God's will, living it every day, loving others, praying, and partaking of the sacraments. If you have a question or prayer request, please reach out here . If you can donate, please click here .

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

We thought we loved them. But they definitely did not love us. Sometimes we enter relationships that Seem caring and helping, Even loving and lasting. But after a time, We discover that our significant other is Playing a dangerous and diabolical game with Our bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. What we were fooled into thinking was Dedication and determination, Even sacredness and safety, was really A malicious plan to trick us into Clinging to a perceived safe haven inside A c

A short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read : "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness." Ponder: This portion of Romans 8:26 translates the Greek word synantilambánetai as "helps." Such a vivid compound word literally means 'to take hold of something alongside someone,' like two people carrying a heavy object together. It doesn't mean 'doing it for you', but 'with you' . In other words, the help in this sentence is directed at weak

Bleak winters and Bright Summers Falls that are crisp and Springs that brighten the spirit. There's never a time that Lacks love, save the hearts that Cry for help and souls that Search the dead. Even so, the barren ground still Holds the colorful promise That under a cold silence New green is being kept. And we, like the seasons, Return and returning, To find something deep within. A warmth, a light A sprig of peace Watered by the tears that Wash away the fear, and Give birt

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

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read : "Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy." - Written by Saint Augustine (b. 354 - d. 430) Ponder: The Holy Spirit hears u