Thursday, July 15, 20210250I was reflecting on the text of 1 Peter 5:5-7, and I found it a very compelling lesson on humility and pride: “And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: “God opposes the proud and bestows favor on the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in...
Thursday, June 17, 20210177There are times when we become so busy and preoccupied with our work, with serving people or carrying out some function — sometimes even as part of God’s work — that we forget that we also need to have time alone with God to enjoy some intimate moments with him. In Jesus’ life and ministry he has shown us an example of what it...
Thursday, May 6, 20210142We celebrate Pentecost to commemorate the action of the Holy Spirit as He stirs the people of faith and removes their fears, empowering them to live out their faith with pride. As people of faith, when we allow the Holy Spirit to stir us we fly without wings to become His instruments, to allow Him to use us to stir others to holiness....
Thursday, April 15, 20210191I remember growing up and learning catechism using the question-and-answer format of the simple catechism of the Catholic Church, which was mainly memorization. I still remember very well many of the questions and answers because they have stayed in my head.
Friday, March 19, 20210166When we are baptized we make some promises which are known as Baptismal Promises. We promise to reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises. And every year at Easter we renew these baptismal promises. (If we are baptized as infants, our parents make those promises on our behalf during our baptism.) As we grow to adulthood...
Sunday, February 21, 20210147We have all praised how technology has brought the world together, how the world is now, using the cliché a “global village.” Technically, this is true, since many of us can communicate with ease within seconds to anyone in any part of the world.
Saturday, January 9, 20210291In our everyday lives we find ourselves making deliberate attempts to prepare for the unforeseen future. We plan for retirement, put money in our 401k, and plan our savings. Some of us invest in the stock market and are anxious each time the market goes up or down. We do all this planning to be sure that the future is enjoyable for us,...
Thursday, December 17, 20200251The ultimate question God asked Adam, the first man, when he sinned was, “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9-15). Man was expected to be obedient and listen to God, but he decided to listen to “the Enemy” — Satan. Man broke his relationship with God. God’s question to Adam sounds like more than a question of location — because God is...
Friday, November 13, 20200359As part of our spiritual exercises, priests are expected to do an annual retreat, which we usually do as a group. But this year I decided to go on a solo, private and silent five-day retreat in late October somewhere in the hills of Colorado — a retreat with no moderator, no scheduled conferences, no presentations — just me and...
Friday, October 2, 20200201“I thank my God every time I think of you; and when I pray for you, I pray with joy.” These words from Philippians 1:3-4, turned into a song lyric, are an admonition to a cheerful prayer, a prayer said with joy. A prayer that is prayed with joy is a prayer that satisfies. To pray with joy is to pour out one’s heart and mind to God...
