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How to keep the gift of divine mercy flowing
In scripture, there are two different images of the disciples. In the gospel (Jn 20:20), they're behind locked doors. They are afraid. At least one is filled with doubts. In Acts (5:12-16), they’re doing signs and wonders in the name of Jesus and drawing great crowds. What made the difference? Which image best describes your discipleship? Are you behind locked doors of your faith? Are you a little afraid of the threatening world? Do you doubt that God is doing anything about it? Or are you boldly proclaiming Jesus in the marketplace with your words and actions? Do signs and wonders accompany your life? Do you draw people from all…
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I made a difference for that one
“I am numb after this week.” This was the ominous text I received from my wife last Friday evening. I was miles away at Divine Mercy University helping with their spiritual direction residency. I felt guilty and torn that I was hearing her anguish via text. Why the numbness? She works at the Department of Social Services in Hickory, NC. She answers the phone, gathers intake information, and redirects the call to someone with the right expertise. Because of the wreckage from Hurricane Helene, many of the offices to the West had no phone, internet, or power. Desperate people were calling any office they could to receive food assistance and other necessities. …
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A powerful lesson from a shy little girl
“Out of the mouths of babes…” goes the saying (PS 8:2). I might add out of their coloring markers too. My daughter Molly and I were both shy and introverted when she was four and I was forty. I would hold her close. Together, we would gaze upon the landscape of the uncertain world and draw strength from each other. Then came the betrayal. My brother came to visit with his family. I hadn’t seen him in decades. They stayed in my house. He had four children, so six new additions to the home were a lot for a shy little girl to handle. She tried to climb up on…
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What does the face of unforgiveness look like?
Unforgiveness starts as a fortress and ends as a prison. The key to escape is on your side.
