The joy of conversion, Christian community, and the Catholic faith
Forgiveness happens when you surrender your natural desire for revenge. Reconciliation is the tranquility that results from right order.–St. Augustine I’m big on forgiveness to ward off revenge. I can eventually forgive anyone—except myself! How do I forgive myself for my angry outbursts against those I love dearly? For the little acts of revenge I...
Malachi 1:14b–2:2b, 8-10; Ps 131:1-3; 1 Thess 2:7b-9, 13; Mt 23:1-12 Thank you Holy Spirit, for increasing your knowledge and understanding in us. When I comb through the Sunday readings I am looking for a theme that is positive and encouraging. The first and gospel readings this week are rather negative. In the Malachi reading...
Ezekiel 18:25-28; Ps 25:4-9; Philippians 2:1-5; Matthew 21:28-32; Philippians 2:1-5; 21:28-32 Dear Holy Spirit, fill the hearts and minds of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your of love. This is part of an ancient prayer of our church. It is part of what we are praying in today’s Psalm 25. We...
The Surprising Charisms of the Holy Spirit – Nancy Ward writes, How can the Holy Spirit transform your natural talents into charisms? Give you new ways to honor him? His answer may surprise you. Featured Favorite: Holy Spirit Sandwich – The Holy Spirit is the beginning and the end: a Holy Spirit sandwich. I fill in the details...
Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12 One of the easiest ways to understand our Scriptures is to pray to the Holy Spirit asking him to activate the gift of understanding that we were all given at our baptism and the added gift of understanding from our Confirmation. As we read...
