This Easter day, as we thank the Father for the gift of His only Son, who redeemed us from our sin debt, and opened the possibility of life in heaven, consider the most recent attacks on our faith. This morning, we are hearing from Sri Lanka about an orchestrated series of blasts in churches holding […]
Let’s be thankful today: “Taste and see that the Lord is good and blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34: 8). As we begin Holy Week, remembering events leading to the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus, let’s remember to rejoice, not because Tiger Woods may lead in the Masters, instead […]
A couple of weeks ago, I decided, after much prayer, to accept a Human Resources leadership position with the Salvation Army in Augusta. This is the organization with the red kettles and bell ringing at Christmas time, helping the poor in providing food and shelter, while offering other services to get people back on their […]
Recently, I received news from my primary care physician that my Hemoglobin A1C was elevated again, meaning more attention to diet and exercise, and so forth. Like many, I have Type 2 Diabetes, which can be controlled with medication, combined with exercise and paying closer attention to foods that can spike glucose levels. Accordingly, I […]
When I read this passage last week, as one of the Responsorial Psalms to the first Scripture reading at daily Mass, I quickly associated the “commit to God and get help” with my tendency to question my own worthiness in receiving God’s help. I understood the grace of God as being freely given to anyone […]
“Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us” (Romans 8: 35, 37). Positivity in rain or […]
Jesus said to His apostles, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). I was asked a question about Lectio Divina, which I had mentioned in a recent reflection about my new life as a Lay Carmelite. To clarify, Lectio Divina, a Latin term meaning “divine reading”, has roots […]
Years before finding Carmel, my Christian witness was rather lukewarm, with one foot solidly in the world and the other not so firmly planted in the Kingdom of God. I was heavily self-dependent, carrying the weight of some unresolved issues around sin, while being overly judgmental of others, full of advice and self-righteous. The duality […]
With a growing interest in the Carmelite saints and traditions, I learned there were groups of Lay Carmelites in the Atlanta area, where I was working in the fall of 2015. I found online the name of a representative of the Holy Family Lay Carmelite Community, associated with Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta, GA. […]
This is a story I have not shared before now, but I wanted you to know the importance of my spiritual journey to Carmel. I believe we are each called as believers to seek a deeper, more profound walk with Jesus, to better understand His will, purpose and direction for our lives, ultimately pursing life […]