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 […]
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand again the deviI’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world…Therefore put on the […]
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 […]
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts […]
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3). Recently, I heard a radio preacher reference a date in 1955 when he was “saved”, meaning the day he said he accepted Christ as his personal savior. This is common, where evangelical Protestant […]
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). As the new year approaches, I have almost on queue begun to take inventory of what changes I should be considering for 2019, you know, making things better in […]
A cradle Catholic, growing up in the deep south in the 1950’s and 60’s, Joe Herzberg has been a lifelong student of his faith, which included three of his teen years at St. John Vianney Seminary in Savannah, Georgia…
My sisters, Barbara and Audrey, visited recently. They took Stephanie and me out to eat and spent quality time with us. That time meant everything to us during this difficult period—one you truly can’t imagine. During their stay, they purchased an iPad for me to help me artificially speak words and phrases. Because of it, […]