Genius of the Call

Loss is part of the job description. Becoming a mother is both gaining something extraordinary—a child whom you call your own—but also involves exposing yourself to the risk  of loss.  My first loss as a mother was losing my first child. Married only three months, we were already expecting. The news completely changed—for the better—my …READ MORE

When I was young, I remember having a very difficult time relating —at all—to Jesus’ way of the cross. The events of Good Friday seemed so removed and unlike anything in my own experience that it was even difficult for me to imagine what it could have possibly been like . . . each event …READ MORE

He set a table with attention to detail and tradition. He rolled his sleeves and bent over road-worn feet with basin and towel. He broke bread with intimate companions, and raised eyes to heaven in thanksgiving. Then, he held the cup of blessing and spoke of blood, a new and everlasting covenant, remembrance. His time …READ MORE

The Triduum is here. Who are you in the Passion narrative? Each year we likely relate to the characters differently. Some years we commiserate more with Mary; some years, more with Christ. Another year, we see ourselves in the weeping women or St. Veronica. But have you ever seen yourself in St. Simon of Cyrene’s …READ MORE

In John’s Gospel, we are taken to the table with a troubled Christ and the apostles, and John leans back against Jesus’ chest and asks, Master, who is it? We can read of many instances of Jesus touching people to heal them, and particularly poignant, the woman whose only hope is to touch the hem …READ MORE

“Can’t you put a brick on his head?” Every Sunday, the older adults at church would gently tease my mother regarding my brother’s height. My brother, growing into his 6’4” frame, would smile graciously, and on the way home, the two of us would wonder aloud why they seemingly wanted to impede his growth.  But …READ MORE