Mothers are our universe, but dads make or break us.
humility
The Four Degrees of Love: Part 2
Only a humbled heart can experience gratitude because gratitude it directed to something outside of our own doing.
The More Empty, the More Room
While we may not think of being "empty" as a good thing, we must realized that these moments of spiritual and physical "poverty" happen in life. Sometimes this emptiness comes to us like the widow in today's gospel (who gave all she had from her poverty) and sometimes someone like Fr Leger, a Cardinal of … Continue reading The More Empty, the More Room
Care-isms
When we were little, my dad gave us a chance to earn money around Christmas time so that we could buy gifts for others. He called them "Christmas Bucks" and even drew out little dollar bills with funny little pictures on them, cut them out in the shape of monopoly money, and gave them to … Continue reading Care-isms
The Measure of Love
"The measure of love is to love without measure..." The latest "soul lesson" for me can be encapsulated best by these cute measuring spoons received as the parting gift at a friend's bridal shower, aptly called "The Measure of Love". I have heard both St Augustine of Hippo and St Francis of Assisi credited with … Continue reading The Measure of Love
Vanity of Vanities
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! (Ecc 1) I used to think these words were Shakespeare's, and even then, their truth rattled my ears. Now knowing that these words are from the book of Ecclesiastes, they are even more sobering. Indicating perhaps meaningless time and effort we waste in our lives on that … Continue reading Vanity of Vanities
A Perfectly Placed Stranger
The Case of the Perfectly Placed Stranger Staying in a hotel during a large event, a woman felt as though the Holy Spirit was prompting her to go down to the lobby. She didn't know why, but being the obedient and humble person that she is, she decided to abide this marked feeling. She went … Continue reading A Perfectly Placed Stranger
Make Haste Not Bustle
Looking up "haste" on thesarus.com , ("extreme speed, hurry") I noticed an almost perfectly divided list of 43 synonyms that have nearly as many negative connotations as positive. I was thinking about "haste" as I reflected on this upcoming gospel reading for the fourth Sunday in Advent, and I have to ask myself the question, … Continue reading Make Haste Not Bustle
Spiritual Muscle Memory
As a dancer, my daughter spends hours each day developing what is called "muscle memory". Her muscles are being trained to engage together for a specific reactive form that becomes a skill which plays out on a stage as art. Requiring thousands of hours of strengthening particular muscles so they create the perfect ballet form … Continue reading Spiritual Muscle Memory
Master, Guest or Servant?
Luke 14:15-24 ’Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. In today's gospel, a man prepared a great banquet and sent his servants out to gather the attendees. With a multitude of practical excuses, they declined. Enraged by the lackluster response, the master of the house again sends … Continue reading Master, Guest or Servant?
These Belong To You
I once read a beautiful story about a woman who was very attractive. She received many compliments during her days. Graciously, she took each compliment and imagined it was a lovely rose. She envisioned putting each complimenting "flower" to her nose, luxuriating in its sweet scent. Next, she added the "flower" to a "bouquet" of … Continue reading These Belong To You