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Surprised by some unexpected evangelists
Pope Leo, in his inaugural exhortation Dilexi Te, says something that initially struck me as almost unsettling: “Let [yourself] be evangelized by the poor and acknowledge the mysterious wisdom which God wished to share…
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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 Magi’s Wonderful Gift to Me
Following the invitation of Saint Ignatius to enter a scriptural scene using my imagination, I joined the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem. On the eve of the Epiphany, I thought I…
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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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A simple way to deepen connection
The highlight of my Thanksgiving week was a long hike around North Mountain in Phoenix. My son and I paired up, left our spouses behind, and started walking and talking. It was one…
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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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How to name that spiritual ‘funk’
“Is this a dark night, spiritual desolation, or the cross?” That’s a question I asked a person who was going through a tough time. He assumed the burden of caring for his adult…
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The Illuminative Path of the Sea Turtle
One early morning while walking down the beach on Hilton Head Island, I saw the footprints of a loggerhead sea turtle. The night before, the female turtle came ashore, laid her eggs, and…
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Marveling at those little acts of surrender
Last week, I attended the Spiritual Direction Symposium in Latrobe, PA. It had a slate of speakers who are the ‘rock stars’ in the spiritual direction universe. They included Dan Burke of Avila, Fathers…
