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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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The Holy Man on the Bluff
Brené Brown gives this advice about facing difficult situations: Don’t shrink. Don’t puff up. Stand your holy ground. Here’s a story that illustrates all three, and might be helpful if you sense some…
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How to enter the silence needed to hear God
Sunday was a beautiful Fall day. I sat outside to pray in solitude and silence. I gazed upon the trees around the lake, soaked up the beauty of the blue sky, and felt…
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What’s spiritual “food insecurity” and how to avoid it?
Sunday, I participated in Catawba County’s Hunger Walk through the quaint little downtown area of Newton, NC. Three local charities provide food for the hungry: Ashure Ministries, The Corner Table, and the Hickory…
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How to sing “Happy Birthday” to Mother Mary
A scene I witnessed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City filled my heart with wonder. Among the hundreds of people milling about this most visited Catholic shrine in the…
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What is the fruit that ripens with silence?
Saint Teresa of Calcutta had an interesting business card. On the front, it simply said Mother Teresa, MC. No address. No phone number. No other contact information. On the back, she had a…
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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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When the Holy Trinity Speaks in the Trees
I thought I would share one of my regular prayer practices. It might be something you want to try. I have a colloquy early in the morning with the Holy Trinity. Colloquy is…
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The Divine Prisoner is the Best Restorative Niche
In a recent pilgrimage to the shrines of Mexico, one of my three prayer intentions was to make this a great experience for my wife. This was our first big adventure after her…
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The Lord’s command: Be strong and courageous
“Don’t forget Laura.” That’s what several of the homeless people on my bus said as they pointed to a woman sitting alone in her walker in a distant parking lot. Because of her disability,…
