Learning to be Quick to Listen

Blessed Solanus Casey was far from a cartoon character of holiness; he was a man of grit who found humor in the humble. Known for his penitential morning mash-up—where he’d pour his entire breakfast, coffee and all, into a single bowl—and his penchant for singing loudly and poorly to the playful chagrin of his brother friars, Solanus embraced the awkward and the ordinary. His life was marked by significant trials, from losing siblings to diphtheria to being ordained a simplex priest. Because he struggled with the Latin and German required for seminary studies, he was denied the faculties to preach formal sermons or hear confessions. Instead of harboring bitterness, he served as a humble porter, greeting the brokenhearted at the monastery door and even working little miracles that revealed God’s tender care. Perhaps the most charming was the ice cream miracle of 1941, where two cones left in a desk drawer for an hour on a sweltering summer day remained perfectly frozen, simply so he co...

I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...

Developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ begins with the intentional shift from being a casual observer of the faith to a committed disciple. True discipleship is not merely an intellectual pursuit of doctrine, but a radical opening of the heart to a personal encounter with the living God. By prioritizing a life of prayer and the regular reception of the Sacraments, we move beyond "knowing about" Jesus to truly knowing Him in a bond of transformative love. Effective methods like Lectio Divina—the prayerful meditation on Sacred Scripture—and spending time in Eucharistic Adoration allow the noise of the world to fade, making room for the "still, small voice" of Christ to speak into our daily lives. As we are filled with His love, we naturally become a reflection of His light, drawing others into that same life-giving intimacy. This personal transformation finds its most potent expression within the context of a "communitarian faith." The growth of ...

In the immediate aftermath of the Ascension, we see a profound transformation in Peter, moving from the impulsive fisherman who once fled in the garden to the courageous shepherd of the early Church. By standing up in the heart of Jerusalem to deliver his first great "sermon" at Pentecost, Peter is not merely offering an inspired speech; he is stepping into the primordial role of the Papacy. He was specifically commissioned by Christ on the shores of Galilee to "feed my sheep," and here we see that nourishment take the form of the Word. He takes control of a frightened and confused community, providing the definitive interpretation of the Resurrection and anchoring the fledgling Church in the truth of the Gospel. This moment in the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that the authority of Peter was never about personal power, but about the sacred duty of unity and guidance. By taking the lead in the upper room and before the crowds, Peter demonstrates that the "key...

Richard Gillard’s "The Servant Song" is a staple in Catholic parishes, but it’s far more than just a catchy recessional hymn; it is a profound blueprint for lived discipleship . To truly pray with this song in daily life, we must move past the melody and sit with the radical vulnerability of the lyrics. When we sing, "Will you let me be your servant / Let me be as Christ to you," we are asking for the grace to see the face of Jesus in our coworkers, our difficult family members, and the strangers we encounter. Praying this song means transforming our morning commute or our household chores into an act of liturgical service. It challenges us to set aside our egos and ask, "How can I hold the light for you in this moment?" It’s a prayer of presence, reminding us that our primary vocation is to accompany one another through the shadows of this world. Actually living this prayer requires us to embrace the reciprocity of the Christian life. The song doesn'...

In a parish community dedicated to the path of intentional discipleship, the deacon serves as a vital bridge between the sacred liturgy of the altar and the lived reality of the marketplace. While he is a familiar presence at the Sunday Mass, his true charism is found in "diakonia," or Christ-like service, acting as a living icon of the Servant Christ. For a parish looking to grow in faith, the deacon is a primary resource for learning how to integrate the Gospel into the complexities of secular life. Because many deacons navigate the same waters of professional careers, civic duties, and family leadership as the laity, they offer a unique perspective on how to be a missionary disciple in the modern world, translating the " source and summit " of the Eucharist into tangible acts of mercy and justice. To truly utilize the special charism of the deacon, parishioners are encouraged to look to him as a mentor and a navigator for outward-facing ministry. Rather than see...