Let the Wind Blow!
Living in the Spirit of Vatican II
Pope John XXIII's main goal in calling the Second Vatican Council was to bring the church up to date by opening its doors to the wind of the Spirit. John knew that if the doors were open, the church could be renewed, and believers could be sent out into the world with the refreshing message of the gospel. And after John's death, Paul VI continued with the same convictions and saw the church through the challenging time of transition. Continue »
Hearing God’s Voice in a Busy World
An excerpt from Taking It Personally
Have you ever noticed how quickly people can react when the phone rings? Have you ever "dropped everything" to answer? Some calls are urgent. Others are simply invitations to chat. Whatever the purpose of the call, we want to ensure that we have the chance to respond. Continue »
Love is Like a River
A Personal Encounter with God in Scripture
Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." (John 13:10) Continue »
Bring the Little Children to Me
Your Word Speaks to Me Scripture Meditations for Daily Living.
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:13-15) Continue »
An Introduction to Matthew’s Gospel
An excerpt from "Matthew: A Catholic Guide For Personal Study And Faith Sharing"
Wouldn't it be exciting if we could interview the writers who first captured the words and deeds of Jesus in the gospels of the New Testament? Continue »
Triumph of the Cross
"And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:8-9).
Try to imagine the paradox: The cross, an instrument of extreme cruelty and disgrace, has become God's instrument of triumph and glory. With the battle over sin and death accomplished, Jesus now sits exalted in glory at the right hand of the Father. Continue »
Holy Spirit, Make Your Home in Me
Biblical Meditations on Receiving the Gift of the Spirit
As I was growing up, my family could have said, with the disciples of John the Baptist whom Paul discovered at Ephesus, "We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit" (Acts 19:2). Continue »
Fishers of Men
Excerpt from My Lord and My God
How often God chooses the most improbable people to move forward his purposes! A cowardly Jonah fled from God's commission to preach to the Ninevites (Jonah 1:1-3). Israel's great King David committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:2-5). Continue »
The Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:13-20)
Excerpt from Matthew: A Catholic Guide for Personal Study and Faith Sharing
Much of Matthew's gospel deals with the question of faith, and it offers a climactic answer with the proclamation of Jesus as "the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Continue »
The Outrageous Generosity of God
The Laborers in the Vineyard (Excerpted from Treasures Uncovered, The Parables of Jesus)
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage [a denarius], he sent them into his vineyard. Continue »