Pilgrim Priest

You don't have to look at every religion to find the true one, you just first have to answer this question: Is Jesus who he says he is? Jesus made a claim that no other founder of a major religion has ever made. And it means something for your life.

When working with foreign priests, I have learned that a "Yes" does not mean he has understood. I also need to not only listen to him, but try and truly understand. Let us pray that we can not only hear God, but also listen and understand.

Our external actions should show what is in our hearts. When there is a disconnect, the heart is the most important part. God wants to be with his people. Following his law leads to clean hands and hearts. From clean hearts flow clean actions.

Why have people left the Catholic Church? Because they want to be happy! Being Catholic gets in the way of having the things I want to have and doing the things I want to do. And it ends up revealing to us our heart’s deepest desire.

Catholics have started to lose a sense of God's presence in the Eucharist. But first we lost a sense of the sacramentality of the whole world. The Eucharist gives us sense of meaning and purpose and reminds us that we are not alone.

We, too, are well-fed slaves! We are always hungry for more. Only Jesus can satisfy the deep hungers in the human heart. This is why Jesus gives himself to us in the Eucharist. When I allow Jesus to be the master, I find that I am truly free. 

I notice three lessons from the multiplication of the five loaves and the two fish. First, we are hungry. Second, Jesus sees you and knows the desires of your heart. Third, learn what to do with the little you have when it is not enough.

Bad leaders confuse and scatter. Good leadership leads to clarity, unity, and peace. We see Jesus leading through the National Eucharistic Congress. I have three suggestions for how to follow your Good Shepherd more closely.

Jesus sends out missionaries and he intentionally prevents them from relying on themselves. They are equipped with their true identity and also with the help of a fellow Christian. We, too, are always tempted to fall back on self-reliance. Repent!