“Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way! I can’t wait to look in the mirror, cause I get better lookin' each day.” Hilarious, right? But what makes it funny is that we know people who actually feel that way about themselves. They are...
In 1972 America was experiencing an amazing movement among young people called “The Jesus Movement.” Jesus was the “hero” of a lot of the youth of the day! And I was right there in the middle of it. At 12 years old and about to step into my teenage...
I usually get in trouble when I do this, but it just fits so well with our lesson today, I'm going to take the chance! One of my favorite songs from The Eagles reunion effort is "Learn to Be Still" and the second verse sticks in my head every...
St. Basil was one of the most powerful leaders the Church has known, and that's because he followed up his preaching to the people with action. His legacy of generosity and his preaching to the people that they MUST develop the discipline of generosity in their own lives echoes...
What is it about giving money to the church that always seems to rile up folks? Do people think the parish runs on good intentions? Why is this topic one of the top subjects in the scriptures and one of the most controversial topics even today? To be honest, it...
No matter how long any of us live, there's something about the changing of the calendar that invites us to look at ourselves. Benjamin Franklin once said, "Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man." Great...
The development of discernment is a central part of your formation as a Christian. Think of discernment as the ability to do critical thinking, but critical thinking that can actually tell the difference between spiritually healthy and spiritually unhealthy choices. This is why the spiritual disciplines of the Church are...
"Being precedes doing!" I heard the phrase and thought to myself "I'm not sure I understand what that is supposed to mean?" And, as I listened to the speaker longer, my confusion just grew. I think what the professor was trying to say was our actions flow from who we...
St. John Chrysostom declares "Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent." I can't tell you how many times I've had people confide in me that they don't go to confession because they are ashamed. What a brilliant trick of the evil one! The very medicine that would...
She looked at me after I'd shared my own struggles as a priest and a leader and she said "Well, father, you chose this life. So, there's no use in complaining about it!" Ouch! That'll teach me to be honest and vulnerable to those who haven't proven themselves able...
