Come Away By Yourselves

King David's fall into adultery and murder is a lesson in how sin happens and how we can respond to it.  David's sin is preceded by idleness and sloth.  Once fully aware of his sin, however, he appeals immediately to God's mercy.  Our first response to sin should always be a radical trust in God's mercy and, when necessary, a prompt recourse to confession.  In addition to trust...

On the Feast of St. Josemaria, we reflect on Jesus's presence in our ordinary lives and work.   Originally published 2020. On the Feast of St. Josemaria, we reflect on Jesus's presence in our ordinary lives and work.  

The "Bread of Life" Discourse in John Chapter 6 is a treasure trove of spiritual insights.  Faith in Jesus's person is paramount for the Christian life.  This faith is tested by the audacity of his claims for the Eucharist as well as by the trials and difficulties of our personal Christian vocation.  Jesus promises spiritual satisfaction, eternal life, and, most amazingly of all, in...

The Trinity is the deepest mystery of our Faith, revealing to us the secrets of God's inner life.  This mystery transmits to us God's transcendence, his intimacy with us, and the importance of charity in the Christian life.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

The Holy Spirit is a powerful agent of spiritual renewal and transformation.  The virtue of docility and the gift of counsel are needed to tap into the motions of the Spirit which always accompany and surround us.  The Sanctifier will sculpt the image of Christ in us provided that we are humble and willing to follow his lead.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

After telling her "I am the resurrection and the life" Jesus asks Martha point blank, "Do you believe this?"  What is the caliber of our faith in Christ? Do we believe all that he tells us about himself and his relationship to us? https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Recorded live May 17, 2022.   On preparing for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Docility is key to fostering a deeper relationship with the Paraclete.  Where do we find his inspirations? What does he want us to do? How do we know if we are lead by the Spirit? Questions like these will help us be ready for Pentecost.  

Recorded live Wednesday, May 11.  Reflections on Marian devotion and Our Lady of Fatima. 

The image of our Lord as Good Shepherd is a challenging one.   It means that we Christians are sheep.  Our pride and self-sufficiency naturally bristle at this image.  Only with deep humility, and contemplating Jesus the Lamb of God, can we embrace being sheep and having a Shepherd.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Originally published May 2021 The month of May is Mary's month.  The Church teaches and lives an extraordinary love for Mary, our Mother.  This month is an opportunity to entrust big, important intentions and problems to Our Lady's loving care and intercession.    https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

God's power is especially evident in his mercy.  There are no sins that he can't forgive and his mercy waits upon the smallest opening of repentance and sorrow for sin.  Receiving God's mercy is also the result of being merciful ourselves.  Forgiving others is a condition for being forgiven.  Our own forgiveness and mercy make us like our Father God: constant in love and invincible...

Easter is the feast of all feasts, the new day of great joy.  Like the apostles and first disciples, we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus.  Contemplating their interactions with the risen Lord, we learn to find Christ in the most ordinary moments of our lives. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Lent closes with Holy Saturday.  With her Son resting in the tomb, Mary keeps the faith of the Church alive. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

We are redeemed by an act of love: specifically by Jesus' willingness to suffer on our behalf. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

The first of two meditations on the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com Originally published on Youtube in 2020. 

The second of two meditations on the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com Originally published on Youtube in 2020. 

"If we knew the value of the Mass we would die of joy." -- St. John Marie Vianney https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Wednesday of Holy Week is called "Spy Wednesday."  Judas is truly a spy, and many times so are  we.   https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Our Lord foresees the betrayal of Judas and the denials of Peter.  He is hurt by our betrayals too.   https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Is giving to God really taking away from the poor? https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Caiaphas unknowingly predicts our redemption by planning our Lord's death.  He plays right into God's own greater plan. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Today the Church turns her eyes towards Mary, Mother of Sorrows. https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

A week before Good Friday, the Church contemplates Mary at the foot of the Cross.  Mary shares her son's passion.  She co-redeems with him by actively accepting her suffering and also consenting to his.  This consent is an act of love and support for Jesus as he completes his mission, suffering and dying for us on the Cross.  Her fiat at the Annunciation carries through to a fiat at the foot...

"The truth will set you free."  Part of the truth is hard to accept.  A good examination of conscience helps a lot. Examinations of conscience:  https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/examinations-of-conscience https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Lifted up on the Cross, Jesus reveals himself to be God.   https://comeawaybyyourselves.com