Devotions
An Awakening, in the Little Moments
"Awake my Soul" by Mumford & Sons comes to mind today. "In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die / Where you invest your love, you...
Eternity with the Teeth Grinders
"'They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'" (Matthew 13:42) I am slumped on the edge of her bed. Her teeth...
A Little Leaven Goes a Long Way
Have you ever looked out at the world, then looked at yourself and thought, What can I possibly offer? We often doubt our impact. Or rather, God’s potential for impact...
On Strawberries and True Generosity
Last August was a monumental month for me: after years of scrimping and saving until I could finally manage a down payment, I finally purchased my very own home. It...
Focus on the Wheat
Every spring, our yard is full of dandelions. Every organic control method we have tried has failed—the dandelions keep coming back with indomitable persistence. The children love to pick them...
The Rich Soil of Our Souls
The parable in today’s Gospel is one that can be so familiar to us that we zone out halfway through reading or hearing it. (Matthew 13:18-23) But let’s take a...
The Privilege
I sometimes think about what it would be like if I were a disciple of Jesus during the time when He walked the Earth, in the flesh, pre-crucifixion. The disciples...
From Tears to Laughter
The lights were dimmed and a love song began to play over the speakers. Holding my breath, I waited for my brother and his new bride to step onto the...
What's the Deal With Mary?
What’s the deal with Mary? This was a question I asked a lot in my early twenties, when I was looking into joining the Catholic Church. Having grown up a...
God Is Always Greater
“Something greater" is a phrase we hear twice in today’s Gospel. (Matthew 12:38-42) And it leapt out at me because, even though I sometimes feel like a rookie at this...
Peaceful Pastures
In the Word this week, there is a rhythmic repetition of certain imagery: the pastures and meadows where we dwell safely in the care of the Lord, His protection and...
Cannot Help But to Help
Recently several of my kids and I went on a trip to the zoo with a large group of people. Kids were everywhere and people smiled and said hello. There...
