Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 21:28-31
As a teenager, spending a week in the mountains of New Mexico at church camp was the highlight of my summer. One summer, I not only came home with an invigorated faith, precious memories and new friends, but also a new fashion staple: the “WWJD” bracelet. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 20:1–16a
Remember back in high school when your teacher assigned you a group project? I’m sure you also remember that you didn’t get a say in who was in your group. You worked hard from day one to keep the project on schedule, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 18:21–35
I’ve been staring at this page for hours, trying to come up with the perfect hook—something clever enough to make you want to keep reading. I’ve got nothing. Maybe that’s fitting, because this week’s gospel asks us to do something Jesus makes very clear, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 16:13–20
I found myself falling into a pew before Mass, out of breath with my head spinning. I felt like I had to battle to get there—not only a battle with time, but a war waging deep in my heart. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 15:21–28
This Sunday’s gospel has always baffled me. I recall my first time reading this passage about the Canaanite woman who begs Jesus for a miracle for her daughter, and Jesus essentially calls her a dog. I wondered if this woman caught Jesus at a tough moment: perhaps he had low blood sugar. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 14:22–33
One summer, during a family vacation at the beach, my brother-in-law took us out on his speedboat for a fun day on the water. I was at ease cruising the gentle waters of Mission Bay near my home in San Diego, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 13:1–23
These last few weeks, I have tuned in to the FIFA World Cup with millions around the world, much to the chagrin of my daughters. For some reason, they don’t love it when their parents unexpectedly holler at the TV. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 9:36–10:8
Friends, let me introduce you to my parents. All my life, my mom and dad have witnessed to me what a life on mission looks like and set the example for me to follow. In addition to the mission of our home—loving and raising their family with intentionality and focus, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 6:51–58
This past weekend found me stress cleaning my house and chasing my 7-year-old around our church while her first Communion veil repeatedly slipped out of her hair. Caroline, our peaches and cream middle daughter, had the joy of receiving her first Communion with several of her closest friends and cousins. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 3:16–18
Currently, I am packing up our home for a long-distance move. After years of patiently waiting for my adult children to leave the nest, I’m surprised by how difficult it is to let go of things as we plan to downsize. [...]
