Consider the Ravens Some years ago, I got a tattoo of a raven on my chest. This was to remind me each day that I am not to worry, that God takes care of the ravens, that God takes care of the sparrows, He clothes the lilies, and cares so much, much more for me than these things. Yet in spite of the visible reminder each day, I find I am constantly struggling with worry about the future. Sometimes in... Read more
There is something about St. Augustine that I have always loved. His writings come alive in a way few other father’s of the Church are able to do. This came home to me this week as I was praying the Office of Readings on both his own feast day and that of his Mother’s, Monica, that proceeds it. In both offices the second reading is taken from Augustine’s Confessions. The readings are alive with their author. The candidness and personal... Read more
Some things I am grateful for: I am trying to find a place for a wonderful gift my wife recently bought me in celebration of our 15 years of marriage. It’s a print of St. Drogo who is patron of Coffee and because of that has been near and dear to me for many years. My own efforts to incorporate my own spirituality with the drink has been a labor of great love for the past 2 decades and St.... Read more
This week, I embark on a new endeavor—a weekly series where I share glimpses of my life, work, and prayer. In this humble space, I hope to connect with you, dear reader, and perhaps learn from your own experiences. As of right now, I hope that I will be able to put a weekly round-up together each Friday. Here are the key elements I plan on including: Gratitude: Each week, I will pause to reflect on the blessings that surround... Read more
One of the key lessons I learned growing up was that making time of prayer a daily habit is essential for developing a spiritual life. I grew up in a family where prayer was very much a part of the daily fabric of life. This is perhaps the aspect of my life of prayer that I didn’t fully appreciate until I was much older. My parents both modeled and invited prayer into every aspect of our life as a family.... Read more
And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom... Read more
Prayer is one of the most essential aspects of the Christian life. It is our way of communicating with God, expressing our gratitude, confessing our sins, asking for His help, and aligning our will with His. Prayer is also a way of strengthening our faith, as we trust God to hear us and answer us according to His perfect wisdom and love. I want to invite you to join me in a new series that I am planning for the... Read more
For those of us teaching classes this year, particularly in Catholic contexts, we have the unique privilege of integrating our faith into every aspect of our teaching. Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, offers invaluable guidance on how to infuse Catholic life into our classrooms. Here are ten ideas inspired by this document that can help us create an authentically Catholic educational environment. 1. Begin with Prayer Start each class with a short prayer... Read more
The Feast of the Assumption commemorates the glorious journey of Mary, Mother of God, into heavenly glory. This feast has a rich history that spans centuries and holds great significance for Catholics worldwide. Throughout the early centuries of Christianity, there was a deep devotion to Mary as the Theotokos (Mother of God) and her role in salvation history. The belief in her bodily assumption into heaven at the end of her earthly life gradually developed within sacred tradition. Early Christian... Read more
The Word on Fire Bible, a remarkable literary achievement, now in its third volume, has impressed me as a great contribution to the illumination of sacred scripture in our world. As a biblical scholar myself, I have encountered countless resources that tend to lean heavily towards either historical context or personal spirituality. However, this extraordinary work finds the perfect balance between these perspectives while also showcasing the profound wisdom of two millennia of scribes, thinkers, saints, and artists who have... Read more
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