Jun
12
Giving Thanks
June 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Prayer can too often take the form of complaining and whining. I know that I spend a good deal of time telling God about all of the things I think are wrong in my life or things I think need to be changed. While I know he wants to hear about my fears, anxieties, needs, [...]
May
26
Memorial Day
May 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
There are men and women who have walked among us, and sacrficed everything they have and everything they are to keep us and others throughout the world free. They have gone to liberate, save and comfort - to make the world a better place. And they have paid with their lives for what we too often take for [...]
May
20
Receiving in His Name
May 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Having lived through a relatively disadvantaged childhood (i.e. orphaned, lived in foster homes and orphanages, adopted as older child, several major surgeries to repair birth defects), I remember being struck by today’s gospel reading (Mark 9:30-37) the first time I heard it twenty-five years ago.
After predicting his Passion for the second time, Christ tells his disciples [...]
May
10
Two Encounters
May 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Throughout our week, we all have encounters with someone who is completely outside our comfort zone but nevertheless one of our brothers and sisters. They are one of “us” even if we have always considered them one of “them.”
This week, I’ve had two such encounters and they defined my week.
Last week, I had volunteered in my [...]
Apr
7
Our Kids’ Teachers
April 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment
St. John the Baptist de la Salle & Our Kids’ Teachers
During the school year, the average dad spends maybe 3 hours a weekday with their kids. The teachers of their kids spend at least 7 hours with them. Who has the greater influence on them?
So, with this in mind, let’s ask ourselves - how well do [...]
Mar
21
Intimate Union with Christ
March 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This day is one to spend in intimate union with the Lord. Good Friday - the day to truly be there with Christ in body, mind and spirit as he sacrifices himself to save us and bring us to the fullness of redemption.
Let us all be in church at some point today. Let us gaze upon [...]
Mar
19
To Serve - Not to Be Served
March 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Do we serve? Or do we seek to be served?
Today’s Mass Communion Antiphon quotes Jesus in Matthew 20 when he declares that he “did not come to be served, but to serve.”
Jesus served us throughout his public ministry - throughout the Passion - on the Cross. He serves us still today.
But do we serve him - [...]
Mar
2
The Blind Man’s Parents
March 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today’s gospel (John 9) is about the blind man on the side of the road who is cured by Jesus. Everyone remembers the story because it’s the one where Christ mixes his spit with some dirt and puts the mud salve on the eyes of the blind man. Growing up, the boys all thought this story was [...]
Feb
26
Where is God’s Majesty in February?
February 26, 2008 | 1 Comment
Friday, January 25th - it was a beautiful sunny day here in Cincinnati. If I’d known then that I would spend 30 of the next 32 days suffering through a black, white and grey landscape, I probably would have enjoyed that Friday a heck of a lot more than I did. (And I know it’s been 30 of 32 [...]
Feb
8
Orphans & The Face of Christ
February 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I sat with my little girl last night talking about the things she has in her life that too many others may not - food, house, toys, clothes, the basics.
As I was getting ready this morning, I realized that I really didn’t discuss with her the most important thing she has that many other children do not [...]
