Exploring the depth of our prayers
As a child, I grew up with the idea that God acted through miracles in the world. If He wanted me to have a bike, then one would just magically show up one day.
Because God can do that.
Since then, I’ve learned that God’s gifts and presence come primarily through peoples’ actions. Our priest is an obvious choice, but most of God’s actions show up just through my daily random encounters.
But this presents me with a huge challenge!
Continue reading “The hands of God”
The metaphor of sheep and shepherd keeps cropping up in Jesus’ teachings.
When I first noticed this, it almost seemed offensive. After all, people keep telling me that sheep are rather stupid, and without a shepherd they’d quickly devolve into chaos.
OK, that’s maybe a little more accurate than I had hoped.
Continue reading “Our Shepherd”
“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever.”— Rev 5:13
This is about God, the universe, and all of humanity. Not only humanity, actually, but all of creation.
It’s all about the great gifts we’ve been given. So glory and honor and blessing are our appropriate response.
Continue reading “Blessing and honor, glory and might”
We just witnessed the greatest miracle of all time. God’s Son left us, then returned on the third day. Or at least that’s what they’re telling us.
Of course it doesn’t feel like a miracle right now. Only the benefit of time will show us the salvation of all humanity.
Jesus is here with us. His words? “Peace be with you.”
Continue reading “Peace”
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice!
Do I really understand the magnitude of what has happened? This is an absolutely unique event in the entire history of mankind.
God Himself came to show us the way. Even past death.
My God, my God, what have You forsaken me?
— Psalm 22:1
Today, time stops. And once a year we contemplate the concept of being without our Lord.
It’s an in-between time.
Continue reading “Don’t forsake me!”
Do I have the courage? The courage to follow the path that Jesus showed?
It’s a painful path, driven only by the Word and faith in God.
Continue reading “The way of the cross”Take up your cross and follow Me
— Matthew 16:24
Today we enter into the most intense period of our journey: the Triduum. We descend into the darkness as we realize what cruelty we have shown to our God.
Of course we also know the end of this story: glorious resurrection on the third day, at which time we recognize that our Lord is triumphant, even over death.
He promises me that I too can be triumphant, if only I follow His path.
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Today we commemorate Jesus’ final entry into the holy city. This is such a powerful event, much more than any normal historical significance.
Jerusalem is an epicenter of faith for all the Abrahamic religions. It signifies our paths toward God, just as He led the Jews toward union with Him here on earth.
In my mind, it signifies that we´re ALL on a journey to God, and our goal is to meet Him in the next life.
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“Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
— John 8:11
In this one phrase of today’s Gospel, Jesus shows His mercy as well as giving a stern warning. It’s about making the choice every day to reconcile to Him.
To sin no more.
Continue reading “Forgive us”