Midweek Musings

In John’s Gospel, Jesus teaches us to wash the feet of others, even through misunderstanding or betrayal. Do we also allow others to wash our feet? If we can do both things, wash and be washed by others, we will be transformed by the love of Christ. (4/14/22)

Holy Week takes us to the ground of our beings where God’s truth and mystery dwells. In awe, we stand gazing at our own lives with moments of wonder that help us to gaze at the cross with humbled and expanded hearts. We stand in our truth before the crucified one and allow God to be God. (3/19/23)

Fr. Tony was new to our parish and passionate in his vocation. He gave an entire homily on our response: “It is right to give You thanks and praise.” I was lifted up by his enthusiasm. As he spoke from the stirrings of his heart, I was invited to go deep. I realized that I, too, could exult in God. (3/20/25)

Through the story of the Woman Caught in Adultery in John’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to drop the stones that prevent us from letting go of our need for control and our hesitancy to forgive. What stones do you struggle to drop?

You may know all the Catholic things about Lent: the ashes, the abstaining from meat, the giving up something, no “alleluias,” the fasting and giving alms. What you may not know is that none of this matters unless we know three unexpected things.

Two women, separated in life by over 2,000 years, shared a characteristic that emboldened them to speak truth in the midst of threatening circumstances. Looking back at the lives of my mother, Patricia, and St. Mary Magdalene, I recognize their grit. I was eight years old when I shared a sacred moment with my mother. (1/8/25)

We often question our worthiness and whether we need to earn God’s love and belonging. The movie, “Encanto,” helps us to look closely at what it takes to feel worthy of the gifts we are given. In time, we realize that no one can earn what is already within us. (5/13/22)

A golden retriever can teach us a lot about magnanimity: having a loftiness of spirit that enables one to bear trouble calmly and with a noble generosity. Like Jesus, we can face “fruitful, creative tension” with a willingness to listen and learn from one another. (5/30/22)

Return to Me with your whole heart. We hear this throughout Lent and we strive to return to God every day. How can we live and pray with our whole hearts? Contemplative prayer can help us to live wholehearted lives. (4/1/22)

The more that I stop and wonder at God’s creation, whether it is my child’s question, a firefly, hummingbird or cosmic images from the James Webb Space Telescope, I can’t help but feel drawn to the Sacred and to God’s love for humanity. Can wonder lead us closer to God? And how does wonder and fear of the Lord interact? Take a moment to consider God’s awesome presence. (8/4/22)

During the first half of life, a person develops confidence in his or her identity (ego), shaping it through life’s experiences and desire for success, need for belonging, importance and security. As a person grows spiritually, though, he may find that these things no longer help him in a path to self-discovery. (10/9/22)

Perspective. What a tremendous word. I have a deep appreciation for the perspectives of others, especially if it helps me to expand my own vision and see more clearly. At the same time, I want to share my perspective – my observations, etc. How can all of us benefit from a both/and viewpoint? (11/14/22)

God’s mercy is always available to us but how often do we receive it? I may not think I need it or maybe I don’t consider myself a sinner. I may not feel worthy of God’s forgiveness. Through the parable of the Prodigal Son and the movie, “The Mission,” we explore God’s mercy and what makes it so important to living a full life. (1/26/23)

My mother’s death in 2011 has taken me on a journey of grief and gratitude, hope and joy. Through the engaging Marvel series, WandaVision, we journey through what grief can teach us about cherishing life, sadness, and letting go of trying to control our worlds and emotions. Today, I am finding peace. (3/2/22)

Fortitude is a Gift of the Holy Spirit that requires both courage and vulnerability. Fortitude creates a paradox that helps us to live as witnesses to God's love and mercy. What we might consider weakness allows us to embrace the strength that comes from Jesus. (1/26/24)

What can the Assumption of Mary teach us about living to the fullest, embracing each moment that comes? As my children leave for college again, I am faced with the reality of an empty nest. Yet, so much more awaits if I live in the present and go all in. (9/7/23)

How do we find blessings outside of our comfort zones? The key is in the movement. Just as St. Paul uses running in a race as a metaphor for endurance in the spiritual life, I have discovered that running benefits my mind, body and spirit. Here are seven ways that I have discovered blessings outside of my comfort zone. (7/15/23)

Sin has been defined as "missing the mark." As a nation, our notion of freedom misses the mark when it comes to a Christian sense of true freedom in Christ. In light of Christian freedom, how do we respond to gun violence? If we can embrace our true selves in Christ and enact freedom for all people to walk the road to Emmaus, reaching out to the marginalized people among us, we will thrive. (6/3/23)

We believe in the real presence of Jesus. Sharing the Eucharist and caring for one another in a faith community leads us to an encounter with Jesus, much like the story of the Road to Emmaus. In our polarized national culture it is a challenge to create a community of faith. Let us strive to build a Eucharistic Church that reflects Jesus' servant leadership. (5/6/23)

As a little girl, I loved to twirl. At 5, I felt the freedom and movement of a love far deeper than I could imagine. Can I feel that freedom and wonder even now? As part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit still moves in my life and in yours. (3/16/22)

The summer games I played so freely in my front yard as a child helped me to express my true self. As I grew older and my true self was harder to find, the lessons I learned from the front yard have stayed with me, enriching my life as I find my way back to the person God created me to be. (9/19/22)

What is the connection between Pentecost and an American Indian powwow? In the sacred circle of the powwow and the Trinity, we discover our calling to the circle dance in the heart of Christ. May we all enter into this space to build up the Church and proclaim the Good News. (6/16/22)

The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone and it is amazing in our eyes! How can kerygma, proclaiming the Good News, teach us to be the cornerstone? How can we see the world, each other and ourselves with Easter eyes-facing truth and standing hopeful in the midst of rejection, just as Jesus was and is rejected for weakness that is our strength and joy? (4/30/22)