Readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time This past weekend, I wrapped up my pastoral year assignment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel by delivering this reflection.
God Came in Like a Cannonball
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Today we hear the prophet Jeremiah say: “Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed?” It’s the voice of Israel lamenting that God has allowed them to suffer the consequences of their sins, but it’s also fitting on this feast of Ignatius of Loyola, who suffered a…
God Is Not Nice
Readings for Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time In today’s gospel passage, Jesus is quite angry with the crowds who would not repent and believe. These moments can shock us into asking the question: “Where did nice-Jesus go?”
Eight Days of Doubt: Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle
This is a reflection delivered after mass on the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. Thomas often gets a bad rap for doubting… but have you ever noticed that he STAYED with the other Apostles a full week after they started raving over something he totally didn’t believe? This is impressive to me, and it teaches us that doubt doesn’t…
Mini-Vocation Retreat
Couple weeks ago, we hosted a “Mini-Vocations Retreat” for the youth group at Mount Carmel. Here’s the key-note talk on what a vocation is, as well as how to go about discerning the Lord’s call.
St. Boniface and Thor’s Thunder Oak
Readings for Tuesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
The Long Defeat
Readings for Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Listen to the song here:
Fear and Pride Go Hand in Hand
Readings for Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Ordination Promises of a Transitional Deacon, w/ Deacon Chris Masla
This weekend, five of my seminarian brothers were ordained to the Transitional Diaconate for the Diocese of Richmond — the largest ordination class we’ve had in decades. Seeing them lay their lives down made me even more excited for my own ordination, which would (God-willing) be about this time next year. I know… that’s hard to believe for me too.…
Do You Love Me?
Readings for Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter Over the past few weekends, we’ve seen many of our second graders get to do something so amazingly awesome — Receive their First Holy Communion! I for one was so thrilled to see so many of you come forward — in suits and flowing white dresses — to receive Jesus for…