Palm SundayWe read The Passion narrative today from Matthew’s Gospel 26: 14-27:66. There are so many moving pieces to this story. I really felt drawn to two subjects in particular: Peter and Jesus. Peter certainly seems to represent strength throughout Jesus’s ministry. We see Peter transform from the average Joe to the keeper of the keys.He has his faith tested when he steps out of the safety of the boat and into the sea, he is the first to declare Jesus “the Christ”, and he assures Jesus at the last supper of his fidelity in Him. We know that Jesus is fond of him and that He entrusts him to…

Ordinarily my family and I would be looking forward to receiving our blessed palm branches tomorrow at Mass as we celebrated the beginning of Holy Week. This year is going to be a little different. I find myself disappointed to be missing out on this great liturgical celebration and I feel let down that I cannot be in the presence of Jesus at such a a poignant time. Today’s scriptural selection, Ezekiel 37: 21-28, gave me some reassurance. Line 27 says, ” My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.” God is everywhere. Jesus Christ is sacrificed on the altar every single…

A way of the cross in time of pandemic. This is a beautiful devotion. Take a moment to read through these prayers, they really speak volumes!

Examples. Are you a person who thrives by them? Are you someone who prefers to “see” how something is done before you attempt it yourself? Are you someone who enjoys creating ‘How to’s’ for others? I am definitely dependent upon examples in my life. I find that I generally feel more confident beginning anything unfamiliar if I can see an example of how to do it first. From cooking or baking something unfamiliar, to installing a household appliance, the more examples I can get my hands on the better convinced I become that I can do it too. I feel like if we have learned anything from history it’s that…

I love stories about treasure hunting. I especially love watching them in movies and on television. I am easily swept away by the adventure, uncertainty, danger, exotic locations, and of course, the treasure. One of my favorite TV shows is Expedition Unknown. The host of the show is an archaeologist who travels all over the world in search of various treasures. He is very energetic and charismatic and therefore entertaining to watch. He has dove to incredible depths, in frigid cold waters as well as tropical, in search of pirate treasure. He has climbed multiple mountains, including Everest, looking for treasure. He has traveled to Central American in search of Incan…

My mom and dad brought over some groceries for my family today. Despite my protests of them being out and about during this time, they insisted. As soon as they pulled into the driveway we went out to greet them, within 6 feet of distance of course. The first thing my mom hands me is a beautiful hydrangea plant, springtime pink, in full bloom. “To brighten things up in the midst of all this crazy,” she said. I was moved. It wasn’t enough to drive to the store in the early morning hours, battle the rain storm, gear up in makeshift hazmat attire, weed through people and heavily picked-through grocery…

Today I am reminded of a famous Catholic hymn and responsorial psalm, psalm 104 “Lord send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth.” As I continue to try and wrap my head around how our world has changed over the past two weeks, I find myself humming this tune, “Lord send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Not to downplay the virus or to make light the sacrifice and sufferings of those afflicted, I can’t help but be encouraged by what I see and hear around me. With the amount of good coming out of this dark time it is hard to dismiss…

Happy Passiontide! We are celebrating the 5th Sunday of Lent today. We had a very moving Gospel reading today to jump start us in our two week lead-up to Easter. Today’s reading comes from JN 11:1-45. In this selection we really get to see the awesomeness of Jesus being both God and man. When he hears of his friend Lazarus’s death he is deeply moved. He travels to Martha and Mary’s house, sisters of Lazarus, in order to be with them in their grief, as well as to work a miracle so that those present would come to believe he was the Christ. We are told that Jesus “wept” and that…

When our ears and heart are open to God, he often times speaks to us in the least likely of situations. Today I experienced such a moment. After finishing a workout session on YouTube, the trainer concluded the session by stating “progression not perfection.” While this isn’t the first time I’ve ever heard this motto, I received it a little differently today. Progression not perfection. It is the perfect anecdote for Christian life. God knows that as humans we are destined to make mistakes. He knows of our frailties and weaknesses as well as our innate desires to want to do the right thing as often as possible. God desires…

We, as humans, are fickle creatures. We are easily swayed by our passions, good or bad, and are so easily led astray. The daily readings of the past few days have shed light on this reality. It is a strange feeling identifying with the peoples of Moses’s time. When they cried out in the desert, hungry for food and longing to end their journey, frustrated in following a god they could not see. How often I have felt these same feelings, searching through the overgrown foot paths of my life for a well-marked trail. Struggling to keep faith when I am experiencing what feels like God’s absence in my life.…