Let the Little Children Come to Me

People were bringing little children to [Jesus] in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me…'   (Mk. 10:13-14) David, a seminary classmate, and I were at a folk mass.  As we …

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A Kingdom of God Moment

Jesus said, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.'   (Mk. 1:15) At the end of each session at the jail I always ask the inmates what subject they would like to talk about for the coming week.  On one occasion they decided to …

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Room For All

He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.’   (Lk. 4:17-18) One of church’s receptionists buzzed to tell me that she had a woman on the phone that demanded to talk with …

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Our Resurrected Life

'In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be?  For all of them had married her.’ Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.’   (Lk. …

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Worshipping and Praising God

Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.    (Ps. 96:9) I recently led a workshop on Emotional Intelligence at the sheriff’s academy.  Before starting to present the material, I asked the participants what it was like to be police officers these days. They were very forthcoming about all the strains, …

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Faith Lost and Then Found Again

Then Job answered the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted…. Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.’   (Job 42:1-3) His name was Will.  He was a retired clergy person who …

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God’s Purpose for Us

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  (Rom. 8:28) Why are we here?  What gives meaning to our life?  What gets us out of bed in the morning?  What helps us to sleep at night?  Simply put: What is our purpose? …

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God’s Breath Gives Us Life

…then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.    (Gen. 2:7) I was a competitive swimmer in high school.  In order to stay in shape during the off-season, our coach encouraged us to become lifeguards.  …

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Delighting God’s Heart

No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.’   (Acts 2:16-17) I will …

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Seek the Living Jesus

The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but then the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.’   (Lk. 24:5) It is Easter morning.  Some women have gone to Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body.  As they …

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