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The unexpected grace found in Cobh
My wife and I just returned from a ten‑day cruise around the British Isles. There were many remarkable stops, but one place in particular became the clearest moment of God’s presence—not loud, but…
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Seeing a new message in the old white cliffs
My wife and I have begun a ten-day cruise around the British Isles, where we’ll visit iconic sites like Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, St David’s Cathedral, and other parts of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.…
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My new office companion – Our Lady of Silence
I’ve welcomed a new companion into my office—the place where I meet people for pastoral counseling and spiritual direction: Our Lady of Silence. This modern icon was written by Capuchin friar Fr. Emiliano…
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The two voices of the spiritual life
One of the most important—and most difficult—questions in the spiritual life is this: How do I recognize the voice of God? In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us both comfort and challenge. He says,…
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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 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 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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The Value of Being Still
When chaos abounds, God give eight words to live by: "Be still, and know that I am God."
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How to listen to the right voice
A brief homily for Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time: It's time to silence the divisive voices in the kingdom of our interior life.
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Don’t miss the moment
Too often we go through life worrying about what's next, and we miss the here and now.
