“And my Burden is Light”

This may come off as sounding like I am tooting my own horn but be as it may….. I am exhausted.  My day job (and most nights too) is as a Pastoral Minister in a Catholic parish.  In this day and age of fewer and fewer priests, us lay ministers are called into more and [...]

“Depart from me Lord, for I am sinful…”

Have you ever wondered why some relationships work and others don’t?  Friendships, marriages, family, partnerships…?  I mean those associations that truly stand the test of time and are healthy, vibrant and growing.  There are those faithful around us that seem to be going somewhere; developing as a person; faith becoming stronger; yet others who remain [...]

Being All Things

I woke up this morning with a upper sinus infection — a cold.  I can’t and won’t complain because I am usually someone who gets sick multiple times throughout the year and this is the first major problem I have had all year.  But I know its stress related.  You see my boss, (the pastor, [...]

Hide and Seek

As a small child I was fortunate enough to grow up on a small 10 acre farm surrounded by 100 acres of wood.  (Yes, me and Christopher Robin.)  What made it all so wonderful was when we would play those favorite childhood games like Hide and Seek.  We would all know to bring a book [...]

Judas’ Betrayal

Undoubtly one of the most hated personalities in the Bible is Judas.  He stands for everything that is evil and bad.  I recently had a nightmare of an experience, and in the midst of it a friend (who just happens to be a Catholic priest) tried to comfort and challenge me by saying:  “Its Lent.  [...]

Welcome to the Desert

When we investigate the synopic gospels all three share the story of  Jesus going into the desert for prayer and direction before beginning his public ministry.  Two of the gospels say that it was at the end of 40 days of fasting andprayer that Jesus was hungry and was then tempted by the Devil.  I [...]

Is a Chair just a Chair?

Have you ever noticed how chairs are never just a chair… in a family or work setting.  At home call everyone to dinner and everyone knows just where to sit.  At work hold a business meeting and if the seats aren’t assigned but someone they are by everyone.  Even at Church, have you noticed that [...]

Calendar Chaos

As the parent of a very active teen, and as a professional that must deal with schedule events in and around families busy lives, I hate calendars!!!!  In truth I don’t hate calendars because in and of themselves they are harmless and very helpful.  What I hate is what they represent  –  commitments and most [...]

David vrs Goliath

A few days ago I offered a small reflection on the movie A Beautiful Mind (Directed by Ron Howard, Starring Russell Crowe).  I suggested in that blog that we aren’t that far from John Nash, a brilliant Mathametician but struggling schizophrenic.  I want to come back to this theme because it occurs to me there [...]

My Journey to the Cross

A few years ago I decided that I needed to get healthy.  Being several pounds over weight (over 70 to be exact) I thought it was a simple matter of self-denial and discipline.  I began a regiment of diet and because of all the information “out there” I knew that I needed to exercise and possible [...]