The Joyful Mysteries – A guide for discernment

By e September 2, 2019 Jesus Stuff No Comments

I genuinely love the rosary, though you’d not necessarily know that by my (lack of) faithful consistency in carving out time from my schedule to pray it daily. My newfound freedom of schedule is certainly helping me get back on track there. One of the things I love most about praying the rosary is when a lightbulb goes off that makes this devotion super practical and relevant. The rosary is not just a good way to meditate upon the life of Christ (although, it is!).

I’ve recently grown to appreciate the joyful mysteries of the rosary as a pattern or guide for discernment.

So, let’s dive in on a short series looking at just that. Read more

Foolish self-esteem

By e August 28, 2019 Deacon Formation, Jesus Stuff No Comments

“Let us contemplate, at first, that foolish self-esteem which pervades most of us. How proud we are of our little merits, our possessions, talents, and our family, and how ready we are to look down upon others! How anxious we are to equal our superiors in the stations of life, and to leave that station to which we really belong! And how often do we pride ourselves that our work is better than that of anybody else!” – St. John Vianney, Quinquagesima Sunday ~ The Enemies of Our Salvation

Guilty. It took two unplanned work separations (ever – both this year) to fully grasp the reality that I am, in fact, guilty of priding myself for little talents, and that my work is not just good, but better. I didn’t think I was prideful in this area, but.. yeah… let’s go ahead and rip off that band-aid.

In other news – looking for a job! Hoping to continue to work from home. Happy to work long hours, but highly value the flexibility to be available when and where I’m needed.

And… ordination to the Diaconate is just a week and a half away (Sept 7). Please pray for me, and my 18 brothers, as well as for those who hoped to be ordained that day, and will not receive that gift.

Totally Wrong About Sacrifice

By e December 5, 2018 Jesus Stuff No Comments

I continue to desire to both learn how to grow in love, and then to actually do so. My spiritual director suggested I consider making an effort to offer up three small sacrifices each day with the intention of being recollected, and of asking for help to grow in this virtue. He suggested that even very small sacrifices such as skipping salt with my meal or leaving the radio off in the car might be helpful.

I struggled mightily.

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Giving Everything – 32nd Sunday, Year B

By e November 9, 2018 Jesus Stuff No Comments

What does it mean to give everything, and why would we do that?

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
1 KGS 17:10-16, PS 146:7, 8-9, 9-10, HEB 9:24-28, MK 12:38-44

The reading from Kings shows us a foreign widow who gives a prophet everything she set aside for herself and her son to eat. The letter to the Hebrews reminds us of our high priest, Jesus, who offers himself as a sacrifice. The gospel relates how a poor widow put her whole livelihood into the offering.

In each of these stories, someone offers everything.

What is our everything? Do the widows’ examples propose that we give everything to the church? That seems… extreme.

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Priest, Prophet, and King – 146B 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

By e October 19, 2018 Jesus Stuff No Comments

Lectionary 146B 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

When I was young, I thought the world revolved around me. I didn’t THINK I thought so, but I did. I would read the prophets, looking for some clues about my own future, or God’s will for me, or some mystery of the incarnation. Or, worse, I’d practice the “open and point” method of divination by Scripture.

The inappropriateness of that approach to scripture was especially obvious when I’d come across a verse like today’s reading from Isaiah.

The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.

um… God is pleased to cause suffering?

…If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life…

He gives his life… and sees his descendants… what sort of logic is this?

Hrm. Maybe God meant for me to find some other verse? I mean, really, how on earth am I supposed to apply that to my life? Read more