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…
TRUE TREASURE
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…
‘THIS ISN’T WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU’
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…
FAITH, GROUNDHOGS & THE GOSPEL
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…
BEYOND JULY 4th – The Freedom we need
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…
PRIORITY – Not just one among many
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…
SERVING FAITH, NOT FEAR
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…
WHO IS SHEPHERDING YOU?
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…
DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE?
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…