Each year, Advent rolls around like clock-work. It begins a new liturgical year. There is more to it. The season opens our hearts and souls. It gets personal but it is not private. Advent is an opportune time when God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing.” (Isaiah 43:19 KJV). Advent is kairos time … Read more
Under the Vatican, hidden far below the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, one of the most sacred spots in all of Christendom can be found. Although it is removed from the lines of most tourists where cameras are strictly forbidden, in the dark, claustrophobic setting of this sacred space, a few visitors … Read more
The idea of saints being essential to Christianity may be an obstacle for some and simply unnecessary for others. For those who find this dimension foreign, it is important to begin by considering the saints by developing a relationship with these holy men and women by acquainting ourselves with their witness. Unfortunately, in our technical … Read more
When on pilgrimage in Scotland, we were able to spend time touring the massive Durham Cathedral and pray at the tomb of St. Cuthbert and then at the opposite end of the nave we prayed at the tomb of the historian St. Bede. It was not about death and dying. Rather, we were surrounded by … Read more
Twenty-one of us recently ventured off to Scotland and into the northern region of England. Our plan was not to play golf nor did we desire to be entertained as tourists. Trust me, this was not a vacation or a time to window shop. We were on a 10-day pilgrimage with a common focus on … Read more
Every now and then, when providing spiritual direction, questions of the soul would surface. Questions like what is the soul? Where is the soul? Do I even have a soul? Although I could have focused on responding to the questions, I often restrained myself. Rather than appear like a guru or a know-it-all, I found … Read more
I’ll never forget walking up to the statue in Tabgha, Israel. There was Peter, looking up at the Risen Lord. It was located on the banks by the Sea of Galilee. According to the Gospel of John, it was just after daybreak, Jesus called out to his disciples who were fishing. Yes, this is a … Read more
Take a moment, and give some thought as to what makes for a good person. My understanding of Greek philosophy, even with the brilliance of Aristotle, the question of a good person was never fully explained. At best, a good person was better than a bad person. Rather than get immersed in this binary thinking … Read more
Like many, I watched with horror the assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump. After several agonizing minutes, listeners heard the announcement the former president was “fine.” I hung on television commentators explaining over and again how “lucky” the former president was in missing the attempted assassin’s bullet by a fraction of an inch. … Read more
It doesn’t take much to give God the glory. All we need do is stop. Be still. If we are outdoors, take a moment and look around. Creation is God’s handiwork. If we wonder how to give God the glory, begin with what is taking place right before our eyes. In other words, prior to … Read more