Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 18:9–14
Warning: embarrassing confession ahead.
I want priests to like me. I want them to recognize my excellent work, think I am holy, notice my attendance at Mass, and hear how saintly I am in the confessional. Why? A small faith and enormous pride hold my face down in the lie that past sins aren’t forgiven and salvation is the result of my good efforts. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 18:1–8
There was once a time in my life when my prayers to God were bold. I asked Him for everything from revival in the world and miracles in tragedy to things like my sanctification, a husband, acne medicine that I couldn’t afford, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 17:11–19
Imagine you are shopping for a swimsuit. It’s January. Your skin hasn’t seen much sun. You’ve enjoyed all sorts of warm breads and festive treats throughout the Christmas season. It’s been delightful. You get into the dressing room with the most unforgiving lights and try the first suit on. [...]
I’ve been off social media for the last twelve weeks. Give or take. I don’t know exactly how long it’s been because I’m no longer paying that much attention to it. But in those early weeks, I could have told you down to the day. This was not because I was coming off a social media addiction; [...]
While on retreat a few weeks ago, I walked into the bathroom and overheard an elderly woman lamenting over the state of our world.
“This world is going to hell!”
Her friend snapped back, “Now, Judy, remember, no negativity today. We are on retreat!”
I walked into a stall, [...]
The Sunset Cliffs National Park is just one of the many stunning displays of God’s natural beauty along the coastline of San Diego, CA, that my family discovered during a recent vacation. My boys were determined to scale the cliff to the very bottom so they could jump “American Ninja Warrior” style from one rock to the next until they met the ocean waves. [...]
We moved our daughter into her freshman dorm last week, and the operation went surprisingly smooth if you were to ask me. If you ask my husband, he would say otherwise. Perhaps you heard him after he carried four gigantic bins up nine flights of stairs in 95-degree weather. [...]
Middle schoolers are not my jam. If I’m being honest, other people’s kids are not my jam. I’ve never been the mom who hosts playdates or coaches soccer. I lead Walking with Purpose small groups with ADULT women—adult women who already love Jesus and whose prefrontal cortex is completely developed. [...]
Friendship is not extra. It is not optional for the Christian. It is particularly crucial to the Christian woman. Perhaps you’re already nodding. Perhaps you’re even thinking of the faces of the women who form your Walking with Purpose community, remembering how those women acted as “an elixir of life” to you (Sirach 6:16). [...]
God gave me a heart for prisoners. Actual people in prison. I don’t write them letters or send books as my dear friend has, but I pray for them often. No matter their crime, by God’s grace, I suppose, the good that I believe is in them shines brighter for me than whatever evil they have done. [...]
