Spiritual warfare: Are you armed and ready for battle?
There were maybe a dozen or so of us in the Bible study group, seated on comfortable chairs, a candle flickering on the table in the center of the room as we discussed a chapter of Acts.
Byzantine nun’s life served as example of loving Christ
It had been a long, hot afternoon with visits to nearly a dozen parishes. By the time I pulled up in front of St. Stephen Byzantine Cathedral in North Phoenix, I was thirsty, tired and a bit discouraged.
Unexpected apology points to virtue rarely seen in public
Standing there before the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, we waited to pass through a small, very low entryway known as “the Humble Door.”
Steep price of freedom demands courage of those who defend it
Watching the videos of the hordes of people protesting in Venezuela, braving water cannons and rubber bullets, risking death or imprisonment for speaking out against a repressive government, the rallying cry comes back to me again and again: Freedom isn’t free.
Living Jesus’ call to bear with one another while forgiving, blessing
A few weeks ago, on a blazing-hot afternoon, I ventured to a local arts and crafts store. It was a Saturday and the store was crowded with shoppers.
Fostering and adopting children: The toughest job you’ll ever love
One woman's prayer for the miracle to adopt two children slowly became real — starting the next day when a girl climbed into her husband's lap.
Want more joy in your life? Here’s your recipe
There’s a grotto in Nazareth that marks the spot where the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would be the mother of Jesus. Think of it: Here she is, a young teenager engaged to be married, and she’s just found out she’s entrusted with carrying the Son of God in her womb!
Don’t give up on forever: Tips to save your marriage
“Do you want the American Flag stamps or the Forever stamps?” the lady behind the counter asked. “The Forever stamps are, well, forever. Some people have a hard time understanding that,” she added, wrinkling her brow.
Bearing our share of hardship for the Gospel helps us grow in love
If you reflect on the lives of the saints, one of the first things you might notice is that they weren’t comfortable. They embraced the cross and the hardships that came with it. Taming the flesh so as to better follow Christ is a countercultural, revolutionary effort in 2018, but then again, it’s always been a way to swim against the tide.
Time for surgery: America is broken and we need a new heart
The truth is we’re facing a heart problem. Our heart is not beating in sync with God’s heart. Let us rededicate ourselves to love and serving others, to being good neighbors and parishioners, involved in our communities, seeking out the lost.
