Aug
27
St. Monica & St. Augustine
August 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today and tomorrow, we remember the lives of St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine.
There are two amazing things about their story. The first is that St. Monica spent her whole married and maternal life praying for the conversion of her pagan husband and her delinquent, wayward son. She kept the faith and hope needed [...]
Aug
21
How’s Your Heart?
August 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
How’s your heart? Not your blood pressure, pulse rate, or VO2 Max rate; but the spiritual soundness of your heart.
I starting pondering this question after reading the first reading from today’s Mass (Ezekiel 36):
“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you [...]
Jul
29
St. Martha
July 29, 2008 | 1 Comment
Today is the feast day of St. Martha. To me, she is always one of the most confusing stories of the Bible.
Here she is working her butt off and Mary is getting all of the attention. I’d be a little upset too. How many times have I been the one working my butt off and yet someone else gets [...]
Jul
5
Novena Prayer for Voters
July 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Our parish has started saying a novena prayer for the November elections. As elections matter and the government is involved in every aspect of our lives, it’s probably a good idea for us to call upon God and the intercession of Mary, America’s patron saint, to ensure we pick the best leaders.
Here’s the prayer, which [...]
Jun
27
The Angelus
June 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
One of these days, I’m going to write a book about forgotten traditions in the Church. It seems that I am writing a great deal about traditions and devotions that I didn’t know about until I really started paying attention a couple years ago.
I came across another example today.
My kids have been in vacation bible school all [...]
Jun
20
Sticking Around After Mass
June 20, 2008 | 1 Comment
I try to go to Mass on Friday. It’s something I’ve kept to off and on for the past several years. With schedules the way they are in suburban churches, it’s kind of difficult to make daily Mass, so I try to make the commitment to Christ that at least once a week I’ll make it. [...]
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, [...]
Jun
6
Mary and the Dentist Chair
June 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I went to the dentist yesterday to have some relatively major work done. I’ve been putting it off but finally decided I had to get it over with.
The dentist chair and I have a very long and acrimonius relationship. Due to my birth defects, my mouth is a structural mess. I have spent more time [...]
Jun
4
Mass Prayers
June 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sometimes (actually, too many times), my attention wanders during Mass and I miss some of the odds and ends that give the Mass its majesty.
One such area I tend to inadvertently tune out involves the prayers. Even in reading a missal-type of publication (for me it’s Word Among Us, but I also like Magnificat), I [...]
Jun
1
What Do We Do in the Storms?
June 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Our pastor had an interesting homily this morning. He talked about relying on Christ and prayer when we are in the midst of the storms of our life.
And it got me thinking. I tend to do a good job of turning to prayer and giving my cares over to Christ in times of turmoil, but there are times when I [...]
