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How to be the light of your world
Homily for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus tells us today, “You are the light of the world… set on a lampstand, it gives light to all in the house.” (Mt 5:13-16) …
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Suscipe: A beautiful prayer when Jesus is silent
I was meeting with a man in the middle of an ugly divorce. All he wanted—desperately—was reconciliation with his wife. Each attempt to reach out, however well-intentioned, was reported as a violation of…
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How to remain in the right story
Last week, I helped facilitate a residency at Divine Mercy University. Twenty-four men and women were gathered there, each in the final stages of formation as spiritual directors. The group included priests, deacons, religious…
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The sure way to deflate the angel of darkness
In the Second Week of the Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius warns that the angel of darkness often comes disguised as an angel of light with the subversive intent to gradually lead us away from…
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The most important part of a rule of life
After Christmas, I joined my family for a little time at the beach. Standing on the tide’s edge early one morning, I gazed out to the rising sun, took a deep breath, and…
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When discernment needs a new lens
Which is clearer, one or two? The images flashed by on the viewfinder at the eye doctor’s office, accompanied by the question, “Which is clearer?” Sometimes I’d say “one”, sometimes “two”. One occasion,…
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The Good News in the Little Apocalypse
We are living in the end times. Jesus describes what’s going to happen, and his description is terrifying! Where can we find the Good News in this 'little apocalypse?
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How do I know this is God’s plan?
“Are you sure this is what God wants you to do?” my wife asked. At the time she asked, I had serious doubts. I had committed to teaching for a year in…
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New Additions to the Litany of Humility
Many Catholics form a love-hate relationship with the Litany of Humility. They love to pray it, but hate to be convicted by it. I’m guessing most people are like me. The first time through,…
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But this is more than a moment to me…
I had a weird dream. A group was holding religious services in the chapel at the conference and retreat center where I used to work. They decorated the chapel with kitschy 70s disco…
