Some recent experiences with friends and colleagues led me to think about the word ‘reciprocity.’ When I hear the word I initially think of debt, obligation, or a transaction. We give something. So we want something back in equal amount. Pretty simple. We receive...
One of my kids plainly asked me, “Dad, why do you go to mass?” I said “Good question!” So I simply took a few minutes to write down my reasons. Perhaps some of these will resonate or make sense; others may not. But I find it best to just be raw and honest for things...
To read Part 1 “OK…Can we talk about the Communion of the Saints?” click here. To read Part 2 “OK…Can we talk about Mary?” click here. For these posts it would be important to read the preceding parts. A quick repeat disclaimer and confession as I go into this post...
To read Part 1 “OK… Can we talk about the communion of the Saints?” Click here. For these posts it would be important to read the preceding parts. A quick repeat disclaimer and confession as I go into this post (as I did for Part 1). I have not done much formal...
A quick disclaimer and confession as I go into this post series. I have not done much formal research surrounding the communion of the saints, Mary, the rosary any other adjacent topic. These posts are purely a reflection of the experiences that I’ve had firsthand. As...
There are two pretty critical disciplines in my life: Praying and running. And they are not separate. They are integrated. Because when I run, I pray. And when I pray, I run. I’ve also learned a lot lately about prayer and memorized several litanies. Most of them are...
It’s often heard, “I’m a member of St. Francis Church” or “I’m a member of First Baptist Church” or “I’m a member of a non-denominational church.” We focus on our membership. We focus on what ‘choice’ we have carefully made of the church to which we belong. This is...
When someone asks how I am doing, I respond often without even thinking, and with a very expected response. This is true in our culture. I reply by offering a quick assessment of circumstances in my life. I often give a rundown of other family members and what they’ve...
Sometimes the best way to cut through the tension is to start with a clean slate. So, let me do my best to explain my exploration of the mystery of the Eucharist itself. As a reminder, I have only been in full fellowship with the Catholic Church for about 5 years. So,...
“Should I go forward for communion? Can I go forward for communion? Why did someone tell me I can’t go forward for communion? What the heck is going on here? Maybe I won’t even go to mass if I’m going to be denied communion! I certainly wouldn’t deny a Catholic...
1 Corinthians 11:27-30 ESVWhoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who...
Until I was 18 I had never heard of Christian music, much less Steve Curtis Chapman who helped to pioneer the genre. I like the comedian Tim Hawkins who joked about all the Christian types of things we have (Christian books, Christian schools, heck even Christian...