Inspiration & Spirituality

Meditation on the Stations of the Cross

As we remember the salvific crucifixion of Our Lord Jesus, let us mediate on His suffering and grow in gratitude for the payment of our debts.

A favorite family activity with Karen Malley

My family spends a lot of time outdoors. Hiking is of our favorite things to do on vacation. God created so much beauty in the world and it’s easy to pass it by when you’re riding in a car checking messages on your phone. Hiking, especially up a mountain,...

Pessimist, Realist or Optimist?

And here’s another truth: Most people fall somewhere between those two extremes, wanting to be the latter, sometimes falling into the former. And most people are weak, on either extreme. Judas: weak. Peter: weak. Strength is found in what we do once we figure out we’re weak. And character is shown when we choose to do the right thing even though we’re weak. Judas: characterless. Peter: characterful.

What are we to do with that?

Holy Week: Tuesday

Inspiration & Spirituality

At the Last Supper, Jesus tells the Twelve that one of them will betray Him. The Apostles are shocked at this...

Holy Week: Monday

Inspiration & Spirituality

John’s gospel, 12:1-11, points out three interesting things that help to clue us in to Who Jesus is and what is...

Holy Week: Palm Sunday

Inspiration & Spirituality

Passion Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week. Today Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey to shouts of...

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Part 5

Inspiration & Spirituality

From the game-winning score to the top of the corporate ladder, we love it when we’re praised for our achievements. On the flip-side, it’s not so great to have to be reprimanded for mistakes. But, if we think on it logically, does praise make the achievement greater than if no one acknowledged it?

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Part 4

Inspiration & Spirituality

Have you noticed a pattern in the things from which we need to be delivered in order to become more humble? The desires all are statuses that move us to the head of the table. The fears all are demotions that remove us from the spotlight and cast us into the fringes of society.

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Part 3

Inspiration & Spirituality

We all want to be loved. It’s part of our DNA and can’t be denied, but sometimes we crave the love of others so much it becomes a constant preoccupation, and the fear of not being loved becomes a chronic source of stress. If we’re constantly worried about whether our actions will cause people to despise us, or whether we’re lovable enough not to be rejected, we sink into that “I” trouble we touched on in Part 1.

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Part 2

Inspiration & Spirituality

It’s a wonderful feeling when people are lifting us onto a pedestal, and it’s difficult sometimes not to want the adulation. Likewise, it’s terrible—often debilitating—when people are talking about us behind our backs, especially if what’s being said is slanderous. It only makes sense that we would desire one and fear the other.

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart, Part 1

Inspiration & Spirituality

As we journey towards Easter this year, let’s take a moment to consider the virtue of humility. I think it’s one of the most misunderstood concepts. Contrary to what some think, humility is not “the opposite of pride”. Nor is it having (or exercising) low self-esteem or self-degradation. Simply put, humility is