Praying
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The Goal of Prayer
Why pray? It’s a great question, and I think the answer lies in understanding what exactly prayer is. There is so much that has been said about prayer — I certainly can’t sum it all up in one post — but perhaps a simple image can help us reach the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the essence of prayer. This summer we went on a pilgrimage, and it brought us to ancient cities with beautiful monastic dwellings, hidden amidst the shops, bustle and chaos of city life. Discovering these beautiful, hidden gems and stopping for a prayer or Mass or just a moment to regain a little…
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Embracing Your Abundant Life
“I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10 You know, contrary to popular opinion, Jesus didn’t come to earth to ruin all of our fun. Nope. He didn’t come to earth to simply deliver a bunch of “no’s” so that we would miss out on the amazing life we could otherwise have lived if we didn’t listen to Him. In fact, what I have discovered in my own life is that every single “no” He asks of us is a “yes” to something greater. It really is. After all, He came so that we might have an abundant life. Have you ever taken the time…
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The Big, Fat Baby’s Guide to Fasting
“And (Jesus) said to them, ‘This kind (of demon) cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.‘ “ Mark 9:29 Intermittent fasting is all the rage right now, but it is rare to find the people touting its praises on the internet to be approaching fasting from a religious perspective Fasting, in the public sphere, is often boiled down to a great way to lose weight, regain energy and increase focus — and though those things might be nice side effects of fasting, they are truly the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the powerful benefits of fasting, from a faith perspective. True, intermittent fasting has…
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True Devotion to Mary A.K.A. Mary’s Got Your Back
We are back from our family adventures in Croatia. It was an amazing trip! Let’s just say I am left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our time there and the graces received. If I were to sum up the spiritual theme of the trip, it would be “True Devotion to Mary”. I returned with a strong sense that Mary really is our Mother and, like any good mother, she adores us and wants to better equip us to fight the battles of our life and overcome our enemies. And I know that some people reading this will feel a repugnance at that idea — because maybe it seems…
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The Freedom of Not Giving a Flying Flip
Last week, I posted a simple picture on Instagram with some words of encouragement to all the parents out there trying to parent and potty-train and tackle the plethora of other responsibilities that are a part of being mom and dad to people we adore. Seemed simple enough. Within minutes, one woman started sharing what I assumed was “just being helpful” potty training tips. I was sincerely grateful. Quickly, though, it moved to fear mongering about the harm I was doing to my child by delaying potty-training and finally to accusations that I was, in essence, being a bad parent by waiting until I thought my little guy was “ready”.…
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Who Is Ready For An Adventure?
Happy Easter! Family is in town and events are happening, but I had to take the time to invite you to join me and some great ladies from Instagram for a 90 Day Bible Adventure beginning May 1st. The goal is to read the 14 Narrative books of the Bible that give the overall picture of salvation history and, ultimately, gain insight into our own salvation story as well. It will take 90 days and I am excited to see what the Holy Spirit is going to do with all of this. I took my inspiration from the Great Adventure Bible I bought from Ascension Press. (This is not a…
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Notre Dame Burning, Holy Week & Being the Remnant
Most of you have likely heard about the devastating fire that burned down a portion of the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. I was going about my day on Monday, when my brother’s text came in, “Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is burning down”. And then I went on my phone and watched as the steeple topped into a blazing fire that encompassed the entire roof of the Cathedral. All I could do was cry. Then my brother began to send me texts reminding me of all the crazy adventures we had when we went to France on pilgrimage, May of 1995. Our first stop after a long journey…
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Hiking Croagh Patrick and Discovering the Real St. Patrick
Find yourself at a typical bar or pub in America on St. Patrick’s Day, and many a person might be surprised to discover that St. Patrick was not actually a beer guzzling leprechaun. It isn’t likely to win you any friends at the pub on St. Patrick’s day — but it is a point worth making. In fact, Patrick was an amazing warrior of a man. His memory deserves to be kept alive because he had an heroic love for people that once oppressed him — and that love helped transform an entire nation of people. So go ahead, enjoy a pint or two on St. Patricks’ Day — but…
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Making Sense of Suffering
I begin this post on a day that I am wrestling to make sense of the tragic death of a young mother — a faithful Catholic, getting ready to jump into her minivan of little kids and head off to Ash Wednesday Mass. There are no words. Please pray for her soul and for her family. I must admit my first response was “Why her”? Why does a beautiful young mother with young children who desperately need her, tragically die on the way out to Mass? It just doesn’t make sense. Her mother and father are model Catholics, faithfully living out the Gospel and serving the poorest of the poor.…
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Lent: What’s Love Got to Do With It
“Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,There’s always laughter and good red wine.” Hillaire Belloc I just love this quote for so many reasons. Of course, I would add “strong espresso and Prosecco” to Belloc’s list, but Belloc’s point, I believe, is that the truly Catholic man or woman knows the secret to living well. If that quote doesn’t resonate with you, then maybe it’s because too many Catholics have never fully embraced what it means to be Catholic. Too many of us have been influenced by the extremes of Puritanism and Hedonism — and in the process we have failed to truly live like Catholics. Which is why many may…
