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Two ways to grow in the spirit of gratitude
In the letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul gives a very specific instruction: “Be filled with the Spirit… giving thanks always and for everything.” (5:19-20) Here are two simple ways to put this into practice, and change your life and life of those around you. One is to start a gratitude journal. Just recently, four of my spiritual directees had mentioned the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal. Each day they write down five or so specific things for which they are grateful. They each said it was having a profound impact on their spiritual life. One even invited his spouse to join him in the activity before their evening meal. It’s…
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Don’t succumb to the eyes of envy
Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time Envy is not a pretty word. It is a deadly word. Out of the seven deadly sins, envy is number two. Number one is our other ‘frenemy’, pride. Saint James says it is the source of all wars and conflicts. “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? You covet but do not possess. You… envy but you cannot obtain. (James 4:1-2) He continues to say: “Where [there is] jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is [also] disorder and every foul practice. With such scathing comments, what is envy, and what can we do about it? Envy…
