Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 24:13–35
How often does Scripture really make sense to you? Honestly, it’s not something that happens easily or quickly for me. I can read the same verse or passage over and over again and not really “get it.” I know there’s so much goodness and truth in the Bible, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 20:19–31
A young Catholic wife and mother used Instagram to document her husband's journey with brain cancer. Illness took him far too soon, leaving her with the daunting responsibility of raising four children while simultaneously picking up a million shattered pieces of the life she loved. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 4:1-11
Brené Brown confessed on her Unlocking Us podcast that when praying at Mass, she likes to change the words of some of the prayers so that they make more sense to her. “I always say in the Lord's prayer 'deliver us from fear and shame' instead of 'deliver us from evil.'” She agreed with her guest that “lead us not into temptation implies that God leads us into temptation.”[1] I can understand how people often misinterpret the Bible, [...]
While on retreat a few weeks ago, I walked into the bathroom and overheard an elderly woman lamenting over the state of our world.
“This world is going to hell!”
Her friend snapped back, “Now, Judy, remember, no negativity today. We are on retreat!”
I walked into a stall, [...]
We moved our daughter into her freshman dorm last week, and the operation went surprisingly smooth if you were to ask me. If you ask my husband, he would say otherwise. Perhaps you heard him after he carried four gigantic bins up nine flights of stairs in 95-degree weather. [...]
My son’s friends are all starting to sport mullet haircuts, and my daughter thinks low-rise jeans are the coolest things. Are you cringing along with me? What is happening with fashion lately, and why does it feel like we’re entering the twilight zone?
We are told these fashion styles are new and exciting, [...]
God gave me a heart for prisoners. Actual people in prison. I don’t write them letters or send books as my dear friend has, but I pray for them often. No matter their crime, by God’s grace, I suppose, the good that I believe is in them shines brighter for me than whatever evil they have done. [...]
How are your friendships? In the Bible study Reclaiming Friendship: God’s Plan for Deep Connection, Mallory Smyth encourages us to take inventory of the type of friend we are by asking, “Are you trustworthy? Do you keep your confidential secrets to yourself? Do you give as much as you take from your friendships? [...]
Last year my husband and I went on a marriage retreat. During one of the sessions, the retreat leaders performed an illustration. They asked a couple to go up to the front of the room and stand back to back. One leader asked each partner to describe what they saw. [...]
“We’ve got a ‘Code Adam,’” the manager said discreetly into his walkie talkie. Immediately, the name-tagged employees from around the store looked up and mobilized like it was their daily training drill. The manager continued, speaking calmly, “An 11-year-old boy with glasses and a gray shirt.” He looked at me and said, [...]
