Catholic culture is an elusive term. It is -- by definition -- the most nuanced, most diverse, most complex culture on the planet. Catholics practice their faith freely in some areas and underground in others. They're among the poor and the rich. Indian Catholics are completely different from American Catholics. In fact, Filipino Catholics have dif...

Listening to the carol and watching the classic movie this season was different for me this year.  It’s always been a fun story I’ve enjoyed in its traditional forms, yet some concepts that had tickled the back of my mind for the past few years really rose to the surface due to the timing and prevalence of certain circumstances of this particular j...

As human beings, we are conditioned to be selfish. To demonstrate express interest in oneself is part of our survival instinct. Spending our attention focused on ourselves allows us to become aware of our own needs. When we feel sick, hungry, sleepy—we notice these needs and care for ourselves accordingly. And it keeps us alive.

I have known people...

Last week I wrote about being stuck in a rut, and the importance of keeping your eyes fixed on God to get you through your problems.

But what about relational problems? You know, the ones that involve other people?  I’ve caught myself getting extremely frustrated and giving up on my “problems”, because some of them simply seem unsolvable. That perso...

Sometimes life seems overwhelming. Our problems loom over us, tempting us into a rut, wallowing in self-concern. 

Yet for all that our struggles seem gigantic, if we truly call ourselves Christians, is not God bigger than any mountain in front of us? Indeed, Jesus said if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20...

It’s almost Mother’s day, and soon time to plant the vegetable garden! I believe gardening is good for the soul. It’s been man’s work since the beginning of time (Gen 2:15), and something about seeing the fruits of our efforts of physical labor is incredibly satisfying.

Waiting and watching plants grow is truly an exercise in patience. As one of my...

This Lent, I have been reflecting upon the 40 days of fasting that Our Lord did, as well as the Sorrowful Mysteries.  With these reflections a manifold set of questions came into my mind.
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Our Lord suffered and died for my sins, for He had no sins.  Our Lord suffered and died for my pride, for my ignoring the obvious, for my comfort. Our Lord suff...

As we begin the season of Advent, we focus on waiting well throughout the many seasons of life.

I want to be a child again. I want to run around in my bathing suit and not suck in my belly. I want to wear flip flops that aren’t suede. I want to ride my bike with no handlebars and not be afraid of cars or hitting abandoned cats. 

I want to jump on...