Open Wide the Doors

There are some joys that are deceptive- and some that are true. Are we ready to surrender the false joys for the ones that are true?

When we celebrate the Immaculate Conception, there is more to this celebration than meets the eye. Can it encourage us to change ourselves?

John the Baptist seems to be such a Lenten character- and yet, here he is in Advent, challenging us to repentance and conversion. Perhaps there is more work to be done for Christmas after all!

Life has a way of making one drowsy. Enter Advent- and we receive encouragement to start again!

What can this celebration of our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, teach us in our situation today?

In the midst of the frightening themes of apocalyptic nature, what should we take forward with us as Jesus speaks in the Gospel?

There is only one life-giving stream- and it comes through the Church- especially when we need it. But are we satisfied with this life-giving stream of grace?

It's one of many topics that many will claim a different point of view on- but perhaps the thought of purgatory is more of a revelation of God's goodness, than added difficulty in attaining Heaven.

You cannot hide things in your spiritual journey, nor distract God from them. So, in hearing this Gospel- is it better to act like we have it all together- even if that means trying to hide, or being honest in our brokenness, and letting the Lord see the "real" us?

So many things require persistence in life- what about prayer? What does that look like?

There were ten lepers, and only one returned, grateful and glorifying God. How does that have the potential to change not only how grateful we are- but also how much we have to be grateful for?

Where are the mulberry trees in your life that need moved?

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is very strong in its language- what should we take away from it? How can a Ford Ranger help us along the way?

We try to do life on our own terms quite often- but what does the "dishonest steward" have to say about that?

In days when there is so much hatred and suffering- and even violence, the Cross stands firm- and even offers hope, if we let it.

We often bill holiness as misery and as something too unattainable. Yet, isn't it what is going to help us to be happy, and will set us free?

Calculate the cost! Being a disciple may cost more- and is worth more- than you expect!

Humility has recently been portrayed as something of a low self-esteem, or maybe thinking you're not worth anything at all. If Jesus tells us anything in the Gospel this weekend, maybe we don't understand it quite right, though.

Jesus says that He will cause division- and that doesn't seem to mesh with the version of Jesus we all know from the Gospels- does it?

We've heard of the Ascension, and we've also heard of the Assumption. Are both the same or different things, and how does that challenge us?

Do you know how close you are to the Kingdom of Heaven- or even how close it may be to you?

We know so little about St. Lawrence- and yet so much through the few parts of his life that we know. May he inspire us to virtue.

Aren't all things just vanity in this life, anyways? Perhaps not, if we begin to be rich in what matters.

Pray in a way that you may not do already- first, by praying; second, by being persistent; and third, daring to hope in the promise that your prayer can have an effect! Dare we to hope in that?

We hear from Padre Pio "Pray, hope, and don't worry"... but is that possible?