Small Gifts and a Little Shepherd Boy
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them...
Lord, Please Let Me See
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me!’ Then Jesus stopped...
Who Is Hungry in Your Midst?
“Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry?" // Luke 6:3 "My old foster grandma lives down that street!" a little...
Distressed Hearts on Good Friday
"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” // John 18:37 The sound of my alarm at 2 a.m. hit me like a train. I slowly rolled over...
Swing Set Moments
He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretch out its roots to the stream. // Jeremiah 17:8 Her little legs wrapped around my waist as she nestled...
Help Us to Hear You More
"But wisdom is vindicated by her works." // Matthew 11:19 Just a little embarrassed, I wiped my eyes as I stood in front of my honors biology students. It should...
Finding Jesus and Mary in the Valleys
I was in college and volunteering as a youth minister when I was introduced to the Salve Regina ("Hail Holy Queen") prayer. Standing in that church basement making photocopies one...
Not-So-Straight Priorities
Just last week I wrote out my plan for the next few days. Putting pencil to hot pink copy paper, I took stock of wake-up, breakfast, and workout times, important...
The Story Only I Can Tell
It's funny how dates stick in our heads, isn't it? August 9th, 1999. It was the summer before my senior year of high school, and on that very day I...
Broadening the Vision
I spent years preparing to become a foster parent. It began as a little trickle of a thought, and eventually grew into a steady stream of pondering. But it was...
For When You Doubt
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth . . ." I mumbled through Mass one Sunday in college. And then I stopped mid-sentence, tears welling...
Social Media and the Defiling of Our Hearts
I had a great moment of clarity one day last summer. Sitting alone in my backyard with the fading sunlight on my shoulders, I had a beautifully honest phone call...
