A Jubilee also entails the granting of indulgences. This practice will acquire an even more important meaning in the Holy Year of Mercy. Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, par. 22. No way. I wasn’t going to jump through hoops to try to gain God’s favor—because that’s how I saw indulgences at […]
Healing Our Decembers
Tears flowed freely during the meeting with my spiritual director, Sandy, as I shared with her the pain I was feeling. “December is here,” I said. “I get such a wave of anxiety and grief at this time of year.” Somehow, I have a hunch I’m not alone in experiencing […]
Living Mercy
“I was scandalized by the story of the prodigal son,” Fr. Maximo shared as he stood on the altar before hundreds of us who came together to celebrate Communita Cenacolo’s Festival of Life—all united because we have experienced first hand the ravages of addiction in our families. “I was the […]
What the Oaks Teach Us
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord. He will be like a tree planted beside the waters.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8) One of my favorite places in the entire world is Pass Christian, Mississippi, where I spend several weeks each year with my extended […]
Preparing for the End
I don’t know about you, but everywhere I turn lately, there seems to be some prophetic warning about an impending economic and social collapse coming to America. Secular financial experts are saying it. Evangelical Protestant pastors are saying it. Catholic evangelists are saying it. There appears to be a common […]
Do You Love Me?
Do you believe that you are utterly loveable? That you are loved unconditionally by an all-loving God? That nothing you think, say or do can ever change God’s love for you? This is the fundamental question of the human condition—a question we spend our entire lives trying to get answered. […]
Earth to Catholics: It’s Time to Change
For the past week, I have noted with interest and sadness the strong negative reaction of many Catholics to Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si. Apparently, the Pope’s call to radical conversion, not only in how we treat the Earth but also in how we deal with the economy and […]
Birthing Grace
I wish I could have captured that moment in time. Forever. It was silent, sacred, sacramental. I stood at the bedside of my daughter, Gaby, on Holy Saturday morning as she prepared to give birth. The room was cool and dimly lit, filled to the brim with the anticipation of […]
Finding the Ultimate Pleasure Park
We live in a world where pleasure-seeking has become a highly prized ritual. And we keep upping the ante on what constitutes “pleasure.” Sadomasochism is being normalized, evidenced by the immense popularity of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Addiction is rampant, and kids are smoking more than “plain old pot.” They […]
Can What Kills Us Make Us Stronger?
Lent is a time for unlocking. Unlocking the doors to hope. And unlocking the doors of our hearts that keep us stuck in fear and trembling, imagining what might befall us. Jesus stands in our midst, saying: “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19) But we wonder: How can we possibly have […]