by Fr. Jim Chern
Some names are so tightly connected to what they do they almost become synonymous with those pursuits. You hear Gordon Ramsay, and you immediately think of food — celebrity chef, restaurants, cooking competitions, and usually…
We live in a day and age that gives us the impression that almost everything can be controlled. And in some ways, that is understandable. With a few taps on a screen, we can adjust…
Imagine this. You’re asleep. Suddenly, God is standing right there. Not in a booming voice from a cloud, not through a stained-glass window, but close enough that you can almost feel the presence. And He…
One of the interesting - and honestly, slightly unsettling - things about social media is realizing just how well the “algorithm” gets to know you. At first, it's kind of fun. You watch one video…
One of the things I’ve always loved about Jesus’ parables is how down-to-earth they are. He doesn’t talk over people’s heads—he uses stories about seeds, soil, lost coins, and sheep. Stuff ordinary people actually deal…
This weekend, our nation marks an extraordinary milestone: 250 years since the birth of the United States.A quarter of a millennium ago, in the sweltering heat of Philadelphia, a group of men gathered and did…
About seventeen years ago, I was attending the FOCUS National Staff Training in Champaign Illinois. FOCUS stands for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. That’s where I first met Father Mike Schmitz, long before his…
What are you afraid of? A few years ago, I came across an article about cancer specialists and end-of-life conversations. The article explained that many doctors hesitate to tell terminally ill patients the full truth…
One of the more awkward moments in the Gospel comes right at the beginning of today's reading. Matthew tells us that Jesus looked out at the crowds and was moved with pity for them because…
A few years back, a story out of Russia made international headlines. It’s the kind of story that sticks with you—not just because it’s bizarre, but because it’s heartbreaking. A woman named Fagilyu Mukhametzyanov, age…