September 2021: Overcoming Conflict in Community
The roadblocks that stand between us and our longing to live together in the peace and joy of Jesus are subtle. Some conflicts are overt, but many fester deep in resentful hearts. Unless we are able to find ways to unblock such obstacles as self-pity, anger, and blame, they may prevent us from finding the solidarity we
August 2021: Facing the Fear of Death
The survival instinct, implanted in us by the Divine Giver of life, inspires a skier to overcome seemingly impossible odds by outracing an avalanche or a sailor marooned in the middle of the ocean to battle circling sharks and hope for rescue. Given such a strong drive to live, is it any wonder that we fear death?
July 2021: Being Free by Being Obedient
Human freedom does not mean doing what we want to do when we want to do it. Our freedom is always situated and limited. A man born and raised in South America cannot become president of the United States. A woman who has had hand surgery may need a leave of absence from her position as first
June 2021: Place of Play in Our Spiritual Life
Observing the carefree play of children on a summer’s day awakens a sense of lost innocence in all of us. How is it that we have become so earnest about not wasting a minute and of equating time with money? No wonder the playful child living in us fades from view and the worker-bee leads the charge!
May 2021: Denying Ourselves, Caring for Others, and Following Jesus
Our life, from infancy to old age, is an invitation to be our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers (see Gn 4:9). We never feel alone in the world when we walk together with Christ at our side. To follow him is to bestow on others the love God bestows on us. To become givers as well as
April 2021: Becoming Poor in Spirit
There are good reasons why the first beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount is: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt 5:3). To hear these prophetic words as if Jesus were proclaiming them directly to us dispels the deception that what we possess determines our temporal and spiritual worth.