Tag: bible
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Are we afraid of our “I” becoming a “we”?
I love a good paradox. One paradox in the Roman Catholic church is “diversity in unity.” The church is, for better or for worse, famous for its rigid acts of worship. The church goers strictly obey the directives on what to say at mass, when to say it, and how to say it. The sea…
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How your whine and complaints become God’s Instruction.
Has anyone whined and complained before? Probably. I have had multiple periods of frustration and impatience where I felt I was stuck. I was so focused on what was missing in my life. It is a dark place when we are fixated on what could be or what I imagined would be a better life.…
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The Widow’s Coin: a Commissioned Painting
I had an idea for a painting and I finally made it come alive. Thank you to @marialouisarose.art for giving my idea life. You can find more of her work at the link: https://www.instagram.com/marialouisarose.art/ The painting I wanted to do was inspired by the Widow’s coin found in Mark 12:41-44. The passage goes, “Jesus sat…
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Should Insults be Insulting to an Average Catholic?
It is an important self-reflection; what is insulting about insults? Of course, all humans are made in the image and likeness of God. Of course, insults should not be an everyday occurrence and is not acceptable in polite society. Of course, there are better ways to convey your point or express your anger without insults.…
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The Devil’s Greatest Weapon: Parking Fees
The church that I attend is located in a busy down town. The parking is limited and it is impossible to find free parking. Fortunately, my parish has a deal with a local parking garage that allows parishioners free parking for services. It is a generous offer and we are grateful for their charity. However,…
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Are you ready for the Thief in the night?
The bible is filled with metaphors and parables, but the one that resonates me is being prepared for the thief in the night. First, I’ve been a victim of theft and the parable’s warning is all too easy to imagine. Second, being prepared requires a healthy long term view. We need to recognize that our…
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Original Sin in Two Bible Quotes
Ah yes, Sin! It is tempting to believe we talk about sin too much. Perhaps, there is truth to that. But the reason I wish to talk about sin is to speak all the more clearly about the mercy and generosity of God. A simple definition of sin is “Not God” or more specifically our…
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The First step to becoming king is to play the harp.
King David is one of the most fleshed out characters in the bible. We see his youth and old age. His growth and his downfall as well as his redemption. This ruddy youth with beautiful eyes was chosen by God to become king of Israel. One problem, Saul was king and had no intention to…
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Bare minimum Catholicism
We are all striving to be average Catholics, but all Catholics are called to go to Heaven! A common question arises of “What is the bare minimum that I have to do to get into Heaven?” Another day, I will talk about the flaws of this mindset, but today I will simply give an answer.…
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