trust

Even with a little faith, when we trust in Jesus and allow him to love us our faith will grow.

Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith.” (Mt 17:19-20).

How do the disciples get from this recurring theme of having little faith in the Gospel accounts to Peter healing a crippled beggar by saying with boldness, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk” (Acts 3:6)? And the man did just that!

A helpful definition “is to say that faith always entails a relationship between persons which stands or falls with the credibility of the person who is believed” (Rahner and Vorgrimler 1965, 164). Faith is not just an intellectual exercise, it is a lived experience. Christian faith is not an impressive idea or ideology, philosophy, or theology. Christian faith is the conviction, belief, and relationship experienced with Jesus the Christ.

The disciples learned from Jesus but more importantly developed an intimate relationship with him, such that the love they received and shared became so strong that there was no more room for doubt, distraction and/or fear, such that they would align themselves with the will of God and do what Jesus did. Jesus referred to the disciples as having “little faith” which is different than them having no faith at all. This faith would grow as the disciples continued to be faithful to Jesus and continued to follow him, even when others walked away.

The disciples did have some moments of doing as Jesus had done, but it was not until Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost that everything changed. Jesus had tilled the soil, he helped to unearth the rocks of the hardness of their hearts, he forgave them, and healed them. But it was not until they let him go after his Ascension that they were able to receive the Holy Spirit and by his power working through them they would do even greater deeds than he (cf. Jn 14:12-14)!

We are invited to do the same. If we only read the Gospels or hear them read we may know something about Jesus, but our life will for the most part remain unchanged. When we read, meditate, and pray with the Gospels and put into practice what we read, we will encounter Jesus as did his disciples. We too will come to know and develop a relationship with Jesus, we will experience his love, and our hearts and minds will be transformed. In this way, we are not just reading a dead letter but encountering the living Word, the Son of God, who invites us to share in the infinite dance of Love that he participates in with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

The enemy will do everything in his power to distract, divert, and tempt us from setting aside time to pray with God each day. And when we actually begin to discipline ourselves, enter into quiet time daily, we are invited not to stay there but to go deeper, to move beyond only reading, meditating, and praying. There will be times Jesus invites us to set aside our Bible, notes, journal, prayer cards, and/or vocal prayers of petition, and to just be still, to listen, and receive the love that Jesus and the Father experience, the Holy Spirit.

The same Holy Spirit who empowered the Apostles to fulfill what Jesus had begun with them is quietly nudging us on each day. Please listen! He is inviting us to see more clearly those subtle ways we are being distracted, tempted, and diverted from his guidance and what has been inhibiting the growth of our relationship with God. The love and light of the Holy Spirit will reveal, when we are willing to remain still, where and how, in minute and massive ways, we are refusing to follow the will of God.

One of the reasons that we have also “little faith” is that we rely too much on ourselves. We are invited to stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit and let his fire burn, to purify us from our own misguided thoughts of self-sufficiency. As gold and silver are placed in a crucible and heated, the dross is purified. We are purified in the crucible of our meditation, prayer, and contemplation by the love of the Holy Spirit. Through the purifying love of the Holy Spirit we will see that we cannot save ourselves, that we need a savior, Jesus, with his arms wide open ready, willing, and able to embrace, forgive, and love us unconditionally and continually.

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Photo:  A reminder from a mama sandhill crane and her young one to slow down and breathe.

Rahner, Karl and Vorgrimler, Herbert. Theological Dictionary. New York: Herder and Herder, 1965.

Link for the Mass readings for Saturday, August 8, 2026

Keeping our eyes on Jesus will help us to walk through any storm!

“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. (Mt 14:26-29).

This is one of my favorite Gospel accounts. I never tire of reading, praying and meditating with it. My spiritual director about a year ago gave me this reading to pray with during my holy hour. I stayed with the opening lines – “he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone” (Matthew 14:23) – for about a month. I would go back to read the verse again at the beginning a few times and then just sit for the remaining hour in silence on the mountain top with Jesus. The time was a blessing as are those quiet hours with Jesus in whatever way he leads.

When you get past the initial verses, many times, many people focus on the fact that Peter quickly started to sink, but for that brief moment, a la, Wile E Coyote, … he “began to walk on the water toward Jesus.” Peter was walking on the water and I do believe this, as with the other miracles of the Bible happened. Often times, while I was still at the seminary, there was a great pond by the library. I often thought of seeing if I could walk across on those evening Rosary walks. Didn’t ever make the attempt. Oh me, of little faith!

The gift of this reading as well as with each of the readings of the Bible, are living and alive such that they can have an incredible impact on our lives when we read, meditate, and pray with them. Life is a struggle. Challenges, fears, trials, and conflicts pound at us like turbulent waves kicked up by strong winds. We may be tempted to be paralyzed by indecisiveness and begin to sink because of the weight of the pounding. Yet, when we trust in and keep our eyes on Jesus, who is present in the midst of our storms, we will overcome.

In many a top ten list of fears, I would guarantee that speaking in public consistently makes the top three. This is an area I have struggled with for much of my life. One incident happened about thirteen years ago as I had the opportunity to share my first reflection during my acolyte year of formation for the permanent diaconate. I must have prepared for three to five hours, writing and rewriting well into the wee hours of the morning the night before, most likely not getting to sleep until about “the fourth watch”.

Just before the morning liturgy, our director of formation informed me that there had been a last-minute change of plans and we were going to have different readings than what I had prepared for. He offered to give the reflection in my place, as well as gave me the option to continue and incorporate what I had planned into the new readings.

I chose to remain on course and offer the prepared reflection. As we processed in, I immediately regretted my choice. The winds and waves of anxiety started to batter me and continued their assault as I came up to read the Gospel. As I came to the end of the reading, a quiet peace settled over me. I then began to preach extemporaneously, ignoring my notes. There was an unexplainable feeling of peace and joy that welled up within me, and like Peter, for that brief moment, it was as if, I too was walking on water. Halfway through the reflection though, my mind directed me back to my prepared notes, and I lost the connection that I had just experienced. I sputtered a bit to the end but finished free of any major catastrophe.

After the service ended, I remained in my seat quietly for a second to catch my breath. My classmates Dennis, Hank, and Pete, who all knew how nervous I was going into this, swarmed around me like I had just touched home plate after a walk-off home run. I can still feel their group, bear hug.

JoAnn had appendicitis during her first-grade year of school. She missed a lot of her reading lessons but worse became very self-conscious from that time forward about reading aloud. During our husband/wife retreats each year, wives were given the opportunity to proclaim the reading during the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass. JoAnn did not feel comfortable nor did she want to do so but accepted the invitation. We prepared, she practiced ahead of time, and then she prayed to the Holy Spirit just as she approached the ambo. JoAnn felt faint and nervous but as she began to read, she felt a deep sense of peace fill her whole body. She was no longer fighting back nerves but tears of joy experiencing God’s presence.

There will be times when Jesus invites us to come out of our boat and step onto the water, he will call us to move out of our comfort zones. There are challenges much more intense than reading in public. No matter what waves arise though, may we trust Jesus and step out as Peter did. This will be a risk, and yes, there will be times that we will sink, just as Peter had done. But even when we sink, remember to do as Peter did, immediately call out to Jesus and he will immediately reach out and pull us up! Jesus was there for Peter, he has been there for JoAnn and me, and he will be there for you.

“Times of testing and adversity can show us where we are in our spiritual development and where we need to improve if we are to grow in Christian maturity” (Mitch and Sri). Whether we fail or succeed is not the end goal. It is that we trust in Jesus and grow in our faith and relationship with him. Doing so, we will then adjust and learn from our mistakes, and also learn to bring the distractions, diversions, anxieties, and fears that we may experience to Jesus as we keep our eyes on Jesus!

There may be something that you have been feeling led or encouraged to attempt, to start, to do, yet mental winds and waves have been rocking the stability of your boat. You may be in the midst of the storm as were the apostles. “Be not afraid! Come.” Step out of your boat, take the risk, keep your eyes on Jesus, and walk on the water!
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Photo: Wonderful memories walking around this lake each night while at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, even without walking on the water.

Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010.

Link for the Mass readings for Monday, August 3, 2026

When the storms come, Jesus is present to calm the storm or to help us ride it out.

As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep (Mt 8:23-24).

Noah’s ark, as well as the boat in today’s Gospel pericope, has often been a symbol for the Church. The storms may rage without, but those who remain in the boat will be secure. The image of Jesus sleeping can also be a sign of the storms within the boat, within the Church – where it may appear that Jesus is absent or that he doesn’t care about our problems.

We are human beings, made in the image and likeness of God, we are good, but we are also fallible and wounded. We are wounded by the very gift of the free will we have been given. God loves us so much he is willing to risk that we will choose to place other people, places, and things before him. We may often pursue the promises of wealth, fame, honor, and pleasure as substitutes instead of our true and abiding happiness which can only come from God. God does not cause our suffering. He will allow us to reap the consequences of our choices as well as allow the enemy to tempt us where we are at our weakest.

He is not being cruel, he is allowing us to see what our lives are like without him and what our lives are like when we place him first and as a priority. Also, when we are willing to identify those weaknesses, and then when we come to realize that we can’t overcome them on our own and reach out for God’s help, we grow closer in relationship with him. Also, those areas of weakness are shored up by God’s love and strength. Temptations when they arise and we turn to God become now invitations to experience God’s grace.

Hopefully, we will learn from our mistakes and grow to realize that we need to remember that God is to be first in all we think, say, and do. Even in our darkest moments, even in the darkest moments of the Church, we need to remember that God has not abandoned us. When we are experiencing the storms in our lives that come from without caused by others or the enemy, or the storms from within caused by our own sinful choices, or the anxieties, worries, and fears that we feed, Jesus may appear to be distant, he may seem not to care, and may seem to not even exist. Yet, just as Jesus was calmly sleeping in the boat with the disciples, he was present with them and he is present with us. Once the disciples turned to Jesus and implored his help, Jesus calmed the stormy sea.

Our focus on Jesus through the good times and the bad is the key. Our faith in Jesus grows as our trust and relationship in him grow. We just need to remember to turn to him in all our circumstances in life, to be thankful when all is going well and to seek his assistance when we need his help. This is what St Paul meant by praying unceasingly. Turning to God consistently is to be a regular practice in our daily lives and then when we are in need, we will know he is there.

This is to be true regarding our own mental storms of anxiety, whether we are dealing with conflict in a relationship, with some crisis physically, economically, or spiritually, or even while experiencing challenges that go far beyond just ourselves. Just ten minutes of news will show a wide array of examples of issues way beyond our control.

We need not even fear death because Jesus has conquered death. Jesus chided his disciples, who feared the worst, as they were tossed about in the boat on the raging sea, for having little faith. He knew they could have stilled the wind as he had done or that God would have helped them to ride the storm out. They just needed to place their focus on God instead of their fear.

In all of these areas and more, even when Jesus may appear to be asleep, or absent, even when he doesn’t answer our questions of, “Why?”, we just need to realize that he is present in our midst. He hears every prayer and he cares. When we trust him, even while the waves of our trials and tribulation toss us about, we will be able to experience his peace, that peace that surpasses all understanding. As we deepen our relationship and continue to experience his peace we can then be a healing balm for those around us who struggle and help those close to us to realize they have a choice and someone to turn to who will help.

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Photo: When we turn to Jesus in every situation and will realize that we have never been alone.

Link for the Mass readings for Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Do we place our trust in ourselves or in God?

In our Gospel reading from Mark, there appear to be two separate accounts. In the first, we witness Jesus’ critique of the scribes, and in the second, the generosity of a poor widow is emphasized. There could not be a starker contrast between the two. Jesus points out those scribes with the primary motivation of self-aggrandizement, “who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets” (Mk 12:38-39). They make a lofty show of themselves, yet, what is worse is the following verse. “They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers” (Mk 12:40).

The implication is that certain scribes used their position not to edify, provide care for, and lead widows closer to God, but instead chose to exploit them for their own selfish gain. As Jesus finished his rebuke of the scribes, he then observed those making contributions at the treasury of the Temple. A poor widow donated two coins. No one, except Jesus, appeared to notice her. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more that all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood” (Mk 12:43-44).

Jesus commends this woman for her generosity. She does not make a fancy show of what she is doing, she quietly and simply gives all that she has. Is Jesus sharing his critique of the scribes who seek to exploit widows, just moments before sharing the generosity of this widow? Could her having so little have resulted from the exploitation of one of the scribes? We are not told why she has so little nor why she gives all she has, but her willingness to do so is clearly on display.

Often in the Gospels, Jesus holds up a mirror, as he did with the scribes, to those in positions of religious authority who place their focus on themselves, their own gain, and prestige. They are placed as stewards instead to help those they are supposed to serve, along with widows, orphans, the stranger, and those in need. Those like Matthew and Zacchaeus, though not scribes but tax collectors, embraced Jesus’ invitation of repentance, made a 180-degree turn from their old ways of self-service, and instead changed and began anew in following Jesus.

Will we be like the unnamed scribes and Pharisees who were not willing to look in the mirror that Jesus held before them, more interested in supporting their place of entitlement and privilege, and unwilling to change? Or will we, as did Matthew and Zacchaeus, allow our consciences to be convicted, be willing to repent, and rend our hearts so to be moved and more willing to love, so to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in need? The scribes are not the model in today’s reading, the widow was.

What affects one of us, affects all. If one among us is hurting, we are all hurting. We can do better to help one another. In allowing ourselves a time for a prayerful pause, Jesus will lead us to discern which thoughts to entertain, which words to speak, and actions and choices to make that are aligned with our loving God and Father’s will. Then we too will have the courage of the widow. She who did not give out of her excess but gave without counting the cost and trusted that God will provide. We will be more generous with our time, talent, and treasure when we are willing to trust God and freely give as he directs us.

Painting: “The Widow’s Mite” by James Christensen

Link for the Mass readings for Saturday, June 6, 2026

Jesus is the Lord of the temple, the Lord of our lives.

Jesus had not only created a scene when he, literally, turned over the tables in the temple, but had been doing so since the beginning of his public ministry. Jesus had been figuratively turning the tables on the religious leadership. The conflicts between Jesus and those in charge were not subsiding but only growing, especially now that Jesus was present at the Jewish spiritual center of the temple, the very seat of God. The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders, are becoming more concerned about the teachings and actions of this itinerant preacher and believe him to be a false prophet. They approach him when he returns to the temple and ask, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mark 11:28)?

Jesus, who is the Lord of the temple, “the lord of the house” (Mk 13:35), recognizes that the “servants in charge” (Mk 13:34) of the house, are not seeking the truth in this question. “The question is full of hidden irony: the stewards of the temple, whose authority is only delegated, are demanding that the Lord of the temple answer to them for his actions” (Healy, 234). Jesus deftly turns the table on them. In doing so, they reveal that they do not believe that John or Jesus are operating under the authority of God, but they fear the reaction of the people gathering around their discussion. This is the time of the Passover, and many pilgrims have come to Jerusalem to celebrate. The area is teeming with people. The last thing that the Jewish authorities want is another scene as Jesus had staged from his turning over the tables the day before. They do not want to have the Roman centurions getting involved.

The chief priests, scribes, and elders refuse to answer Jesus’ question. Jesus follows like fashion then and does not answer their original question. This episode and exchange, as with the other conflicts with Jesus leaves his challengers frustrated and angrier. They believe Jesus to be a false prophet, yet they are not willing to call him out publicly. Indecisiveness further fuels their already growing resentment. Jesus though is at rest because he knows that he is following the will of his Father and has nothing to prove.

How do we do with conflict? Are we as surefooted and confident in the love of our Father as Jesus? If not, there can be many reasons. Foundationally, we need to ask ourselves: “Are we following the will of the Father in all that we think, say, and do?” The peace that surpasses all understanding that Jesus experiences and promises comes from the assurance that our loving God and Father is with us, has our back, and supports us. We also experience rest when our conscience is clear. The challenge is to be clear in our discernment that we know the difference between God’s and our own will, as well as when our decisions are in accord with or opposed to God’s. When not, then we repent and turn back to him.

We may receive clarity, although many times we are indecisive. The answer to knowing God’s will is knowing God. We encounter and develop a better relationship with our Father as we would with any other person. Though until we develop a deeper prayer life, that is easier said than done. As many of the saints attest, the closer they grew in relationship, the more distant he appeared. This is true because Jesus invites us to go deeper, so we come to the point that we resist relying on our emotions, inspirations, and consolations, as well as our capacity to make sense of what we are asked. Jesus leads us on an eternal path that has no end, cannot be exhausted, and we are to follow without hesitation. Jesus speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. Why do we listen? Because Jesus is our Lord, the Son of God our Father.

Photo: The more time we give to Jesus in silence, the more he becomes the Lord of our lives!

Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

Link for the Mass readings for Friday, May 30, 2026

When we trust and have faith in Jesus, we will experience his help in times of trouble.

Our days are so full of activities, conflicts, health issues, technological stimulation, 24/7 news cycles, social media interaction, challenges, polarization, as well as good and healthy activities, pursuits, interactions, recreation, and engagements which can all contribute to our emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual weariness. If we do not have the proper foundation and orientation, we can feel stretched, hollowed out, and/or fatigued at best. One day can seem to blend into another, and another, and another. The image of being on a hamster wheel or an unending treadmill can fall afresh in our mind’s eye when we actually do take a minute to breathe. Anxiety, worry, stress, fear, prescriptions, and addictions all appear to be on the rise and swirling out of control.
Is there an answer to this hyper pace or are we doomed to just keep going until the wheels fall off? The opening verse in today’s reading provides an antidote when we are feeling any or all of the above. As well as a bell going off if we are riding along at this pace unaware the lug nuts are even loosening!
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me” (Jn 14:1).
Jesus spoke specifically to his disciples after he had talked to him about leaving them. He was going back to the Father through the way of the cross. No matter what challenges we are experiencing, what is knocking on the door of our minds as we are reading these words, we are invited to breathe, identify them, seek the discernment of the Holy Spirit and renounce any thoughts that are not of his will, allow any emotions to be experienced and released, and seek clarification on any issues that we need to discern. We can trust Jesus with helping us to discern how best to deal with the external challenges as well as the internal, menacing thoughts. Putting God first does not mean that the externals to our life will immediately take an abrupt turn for the better, nor does it mean that we will feel a peace within from our mental maelstroms.
What establishing a foundational relationship with Jesus does mean is that we will have support and divine assistance. We will come to know and experience that we are not alone in our struggles. The disciples found this out when in the midst of a sudden sea squall. Their boat was taking on water as the waves grew higher such that they were terrified and so, called to a sleeping Jesus. Jesus awoke and with a word, he calmed the sea (cf. Mk 4:35-41).
Jesus may or may not calm the sea of our trials and tribulations, but what he will do is be present with us through our storms in life and we can trust in him that he will guide us through. As we grow more confident in our trust in Jesus, as we feel safer that he has our back, we will be assured that no matter who or what comes at us, he will be there by our side to assist us. We will experience a peace that surpasses all understanding and calm within ourselves. The ultimate assurance that Jesus provides is that when we surrender our life to him, we belong to him, we are not alone nor orphaned. He gave his life for us, to redeem and save us so that we can be assured of our home for eternity. “I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be” (John 14:3).
Jesus has not so much saved us from our sin as he has saved us for eternity. Jesus promises that he will come back for us at the hour of our death. He is preparing a place for us in the heavenly kingdom. We do not have to just wait for him to come back though. By growing in our relationship with him now, we enter into and participate in his life and so experience his relationship with his Father and experience the love of the Holy Spirit. Jesus grants us a participation in the life of the Trinity. Even though these moments of grace are fleeting, they are very powerful and consoling and last.
If we are struggling at any level and are seeking to build our trust and faith in Jesus, it is important to proceed patiently. God works slowly and this goes against the instant gratification culture we are swimming in. God is building a foundation in us which is meant to last not only for the moment, or even this life alone, but to lead us into the next. When we make time to sit at the feet of  Jesus, slow down and breathe, ask for his help, seek his discernment about where we can make changes in our life, he will lead us. We just need to trust him and be willing to follow his lead.
This time does not need to be lengthy, three to five minutes a day to start can do wonders. On the surface level, by stopping for five minutes to pray and breathe more deeply and consciously, we get off the wheel, we step out of survival and reaction mode, so that we can then make more intentional and insightful decisions, and we can come to see that we truly have options, but more importantly, we begin to develop a relationship and intimacy with Jesus so to begin to recognize his voice in our stillness and in our activity. When we show up, God will happen. When we show up, breathe a few deep breaths, allow the shoulders to come out of our ears, we can begin to experience God’s love as well. Once slowing down, then there are some practices that can help us to grow in our relationship with God.
The Liturgy of the Hours, and the daily readings of the Mass, meditating, praying, and contemplating the word of God have been foundational for me and my transformation, healing, and growth. Over my two years at the seminary, I was also introduced to practicing a holy hour of prayer, often before the Blessed Sacrament daily. Each of these practices have become foundational and non-negotiable anchors in my day. My schedule has gotten even busier in my second year of priesthood, and St. Francis de Sales wise words remind me, “It is important to set aside thirty minutes a day to pray, and if busy, one hour.” Seems counter intuitive. But if we hold firm to the half or full hour, other activities of the day must go. Then we discern what not have been there in the first place.
Having set times to stop to meditate and pray throughout the day has been helpful, especially on those days when my schedule is full to overflowing. Author Wanda E. Brunstetter, wrote, “If you are too busy to pray, you are busier than God wants you to be.” There is a lot of truth in her statement. I have had busy days, weeks and months, where I have wondered if taking the time to pray and meditate was really the most sensible choice. Time and again doing so has made an incredible difference and has now been helping me better reevaluate what I schedule into each day. 
The Rosary is another great way to get into God’s word by meditating on the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary. If you are not able to pray the whole Rosary in one sitting, start with one decade a day. Read for a few minutes from the Bible once in the morning and then return to meditate on the same verse or verses that touch or challenge you throughout the day. You can also read the daily Mass readings and place your self in the scene and allow the account to open up before you as if were actually there – your own version of the Chosen.
A wonderful invitation given by St. Teresa of Avila is when we are reading and feel the sense to close our eyes and just be still, to do so. Each of these practices offer us a few of the many ways to stop the madness, to slow down, simplify, and connect with the power, the love, and the grace that Jesus yearns to share with us such that no matter the external or internal upheaval, we may experience his peace, that peace that surpasses all understanding (cf. Philippians 4:7).
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Photo: Tuesday afternoons with Jesus, refreshing and renewing time!
Link for the Mass readings for Friday, May 1, 2026

“Jesus walks with us. Always.”

Jesus continues to present the imagery of the shepherd in today’s Gospel reading from John. He offers the assurance of security and protection that is to be found for those that are in his fold when he says, “No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:28-30). How does one enter the fold of the Good Shepherd? All who hear his voice, believe in, and follow him will be known by him, come to know him, and so be a part of his flock.

Yet, there are those who hear his voice and do not recognize the Shepherd. They do not follow him and so are not known by him, although he seeks them out. They may know about the Shepherd, have heard of him, but do not know him. Their hearts and minds are closed. They do not believe in his miracles, his exorcisms, his teachings, and the question of those opposing him in today’s reading is, “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly” (Jn 10:24). Jesus did just that by saying that he and the Father are one. The response to the forthright comment of Jesus is that those who are closed to his answer pick up rocks to throw at him (see Jn 10:31).

Jesus offers the gift of relationship with him and his Father, to experience the love shared between them, the Holy Spirit. Jesus offers eternal life. Jesus is open about who he is, who we are, and who we can become in participation with him. Those who say no to his invitation do so for their own reasons. Just as Jesus invites us to freely come to him, he will only come so far as we are willing to receive him. He does not conform to us or to our will.  Jesus does not need us nor does he force his will upon us, yet he loves us by willing our ultimate good. He is willing to risk that we will walk away, but he continues to be close and ready for when we turn back.

Even many of us who have said yes, only go so far. We hedge our bets, dip our toes into the water, and maybe go in ankle-deep, but not too many of us are willing to relinquish control, let go, and surrender fully all at once. Jesus offers, eternal life, true, but also a life of meaning and fulfillment now. A perfect life? No, there will continue to be challenges, conflicts, mistakes, and missteps. There will be suffering, pain, and heartache. All the while, Jesus’ voice continues to call us to follow him, to trust him, and seek safety and healing from our anxieties, fears, wounds, weakness, and sins. Our safety is truly in Jesus, because he is eternal and unchanging.

Jesus empowers us to face our conflicts and resistances, and as we grow in our trust in him, we can feel safe to let go of our control and defense mechanisms, and become more disciplined in resisting temptations and apparent goods. Through all our experiences, the ups and downs, the only assurance is that we are not alone. No matter what we may face today or tomorrow, we can be assured that Jesus will never let us go and no one can take us out of his hand. Each step of the journey we take, we can be confident that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, will be there to guide and protect us as he leads us to experience deeper intimacy with him, his Father, and the Holy Spirit.

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Painting: Accessed on Amazon.com wall art

Link for the Mass readings for Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Choosing Jesus will help us to experience his peace.

Some of the context for today’s reading of the Gospel is found in John’s account of the multiplication of the loaves which closes with this verse: “Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone” (Jn 6:15). Both Jesus and the people knew the Torah. In Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Moses shared that he was not the seal or end of prophetic tradition, he, like John the Baptist, pointed to one that would be greater than he.
As the five-thousand ate they talked among themselves, many may have then recalled how God fed the Hebrews in the desert, manna, bread from heaven. The miraculous multiplication mingled with the manna remembrance, comingled with the already growing messianic hope, could make a good case for why the people began to believe that Jesus was the “Prophet, the one who is to come into the world” (Jn 6:14), and then they rose to make him their king.
Recognizing their motivation and lack of understanding of the fullness of the kingship he would indeed assume, Jesus withdrew back higher up the mountain upon which he saw the people coming to him in the first place. The people presumably camped where they had eaten since evening drew near. Separation occurred between Jesus and the people because they moved to make him into something he was not. He refused, as he did during his fast in the desert, to give in to the temptation of power, pride, and honor.
The disciples were also separated from Jesus. They set out on the sea and headed toward Capernaum and would be reunited as they experienced a storm that arose on the sea of Galilee. Already full of anxiety as they were being tossed about by the waves, their fear grew as Jesus came closer to their boat, walking on the water. He calmed them as he said, “It is I. Do not be afraid” (Jn 6: 20).
Those present at the multiplication of the loaves and fish, the disciples, nor us today totally comprehend all of who Jesus is, for he embodies the fullness of humanity and divinity. Nor is he ours to tame. Jesus comes to us, is present to us, loves, and is willing to walk with us through all our trials and tribulations, as well as our joys and wonders. Though, what he will not do is be untrue to himself or to who he calls us to be. If we want to be fulfilled in this life, we need to let go of making Jesus into our image and likeness. Instead, with humility, we are invited to be conformed to his will, which, deep down is what we want too. We need to decrease, so that he may increase. We need to die in him, so that he may live in us.
In our willingness to surrender to the will of Jesus, we are able to keep our eyes focused on him. This does not mean our life will be perfect. There will continue to be challenges and conflict. The closer we come to Jesus the clearer we will see the truth and the absence of it within us and without. Conflicts with others will still arise. The difference is that when we experience the closeness of Jesus, while storms may rage on the outside, we will experience more calm on the inside. We will feel less need to react when our buttons are pressed, see people with a wider lens, experience more understanding, and love, and discern better how to engage or remain still.
We will grow stronger in our faith and trust in Jesus, and be more able to help others along the way to do the same, when we are willing to follow the guidance of Jesus and collaborate with him. In this free act of our will, we are aligning ourselves with the infinite power and ground of our being. In our participation with Jesus, we have access to his power working in and through us, we become agents of stillness and calm for ourselves and others, even while experiencing the storms of our everyday lives: “Be not afraid!” Trust in Jesus! When we do so, we will experience his peace.
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Painting: “Christ Walking on Water after. Julius Von Klever by Jay Bryant Ward
Link for the Mass readings for Saturday, April 17, 2026

When we remember Jesus is with us and for us, we can always change, we can always change course.

As Jesus and his companions shared the Passover, Jesus offered this morsel, “One of you will betray me” (Mt 26:21). I am sure that this bitter herb shifted the mood of the meal and fellowship. Each apostle asked if they were the one to betray him. There is no recorded response, though the assumption is that Jesus says no to each, except for one.

A unique feature about this exchange was that each of the disciples in asking Jesus if they would betray him prefaced their request by calling him, Lord. In doing so, they acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah. When Judas addressed Jesus he called him, Rabbi. He did not acknowledge Jesus as his Lord. Could this be a tell regarding why Judas was willing to turn Jesus over because he did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah, that he too believed Jesus to be a blasphemer?

Jesus’ response to Judas was an affirmation of truth: “You have said so” (Mt 26:25).

Jesus offered this affirmative response two other times, confirming each time the truth presented to him by another. When Caiaphas asked if he was the Messiah and then later with Pilate when he asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. In answering in the affirmative to Judas, was Jesus giving him the opportunity to look at himself in the mirror? Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, he did not have to make this point known. Judas could have remained silent, yet he asked, as did the others who went before him. Could he have been contemplating shifting his prior determination of betrayal? Was Jesus inviting Judas to acknowledge what he had agreed to do, confess, change course, and ask for forgiveness?

Judas chose his course of action to betray Jesus, and unfortunately, even with Jesus’ intervention, Judas was not able or willing to stop or change course. Judas fulfilled his agreement with the chief priests to turn Jesus over. Often we set a similar course of action and even when Jesus makes an attempt to intercede on our behalf, we do not slow down enough to hear.

God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts but too often we are focused on or diverted by other things and we do not hear. We can instead allow fear, anxiety, pride, prejudice, a grudge, or anger to be our guide. We can be too blind to see or too determined to do it our own way, regardless of the consequences. Habitual reactions can also be a big challenge. We can also buy into the lie that the momentum is already too strong to turn around. That it is too late to change course.

We need to know in the depth of our being, that it is never too late to change course, to make amends, to repent, and to turn back to God. The first step is being willing to be still or aware enough to hear or see his guidance. The second step is to be willing to look in the mirror and see what Jesus presents to us, accept what we see, and then seek his forgiveness and repent. Yet, sometimes we feel we are digging ourselves into a hole that we can’t escape from. The answer is that we need to just stop digging and put the shovel down. Jesus will meet us in the deepest of the holes we have dug for ourselves and when we are willing to stop, he will but us on his shoulders and lift us out!

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Photo: One way to remember Jesus is with us, is to breathe, slow down, and look up.

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Do we reject or trust in and follow Jesus?

Jesus is recorded, a few verses before (cf. 7:37-39) today’s Gospel,  speaking about quenching the thirst of those gathered around to listen to him. The thirst he is talking about fulfilling is spiritual thirst, that thirst which we all desire to be refreshed by, that which we have been created to receive; the thirst to belong, to be in communion, to be loved and to love in return. A thirst that is satiated in experience the truth that we are never alone as long as we remember that God is our Father. God cares for and is present to us in all our needs.

Jesus speaks of coming to those who thirst to be refreshed with: “Rivers of living water [that] will flow from within” (Jn 7:38). Jesus spoke of the day when he would send the Holy Spirit to well up from within the soul of each person who would follow him. All who participate in the life of Jesus would come to experience also the love shared between God the Father and God the Son, who is God the Holy Spirit.

Some who heard Jesus speaking in this way were deeply moved, they believed him to be the Prophet, others believed him to be the Messiah. Yet, there were those who could not see past their own preconceived notions. They heard his teaching, may have even been moved as well but said, “The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he” (Jn 7:41)? Remember Nathaniel’s first reaction when Philip had told him that they had found the Messiah? Nathaniel asked if anything good could come out of Nazareth (cf. Jn 43-47). Jesus was also rejected by many in his hometown of Nazareth! He was just a simple tekton, a carpenter or a day laborer.

Why the region of Galilee, the town of Nazareth itself, would be disparaged is a matter of speculation. Those Pharisees that were not believing in Jesus, sought a scriptural basis that the Messiah would not come from Galilee but from Bethlehem, the house and line of David. They would state that, “No prophet arises from Galilee” (John 7:52). Although, Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25 coming from Gath-he’pher, which is in the lower region of Galilee.

The fact was that there were those, unlike Nathaniel, that could not see past their initial prejudices. Even though Jesus spoke and taught with authority, even though the Temple guards who were sent to arrest him said, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man” (Jn 7:46), and even when Nicodemus spoke out rationally, requesting they hear Jesus out in accordance with the Law, (Deut 19:15-19), allow for an investigation, and give him the opportunity to make his case, they could or would not hear Jesus. They closed themselves off to the invitation to receive the gift of the love of God that Jesus offered. Their charge was that he was not from Bethlehem, he was not of the line of David, case closed.

Our ingrained, prejudicial attitudes and our limitations of thought can prevent us from seeing as God sees. If we are not willing to follow Jesus’ invitation to repent, we run the risk of cutting ourselves off from the living water Jesus provides and so become like a stagnant pool. Many of our daily routines, habits, livelihoods, health, and very lives can be shaken in an instant with unexpected news. A catastrophic medical diagnosis, layoff, weather event, the consequences of a sinful choice can come crashing down. We can react out of fear and feel debilitated on one hand or with the other we can brashly deny the reality of the situation. Aristotle wrote that virtue is the means between two extremes. Courage is the means between being paralyzed with fear and excessive reckless abandon.

We can face head on what arises, feel what emotions come, offer them to and place our trust in the Jesus. I have had a few experiences with unexpected news. I have done much better when I have leaned on Jesus and trusted in him. In doing so, I have not only survived the external storms and internal storms of anxiety, I have gone through them feeling his presence. In relying on Jesus and less on my own strength, I experienced his peace and grew from the challenges. In times of trial, we can also be tempted by the question: Does Jesus care, why would he do this to me, or does he even exist?

The words of Pope Francis in his Ubi et Orbi message at the height of Covid are still helpful. He said that Jesus, “more than anyone, cares about us.” Jesus cares. His hand is held out before us. We can reject it or receive it, the choice is ours. Jesus is the source of living water, he is the eye in the midst of any storm, he is the light leading us through the darkness. When we choose to breathe more and react less, we will be more likely to recognize and accept the offer of Jesus’ hand as Peter did when he was sinking in the storm at sea. By taking his hand and allowing him to lead us, we will act with more prudence, be more present and mindful, and better prepared to face any challenge.

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Photo: Blessed to be back at SVDP Regional Seminary Chapel where I was blessed to spend many holy hours and Masses getting to know Jesus and learning to be and serve as his priest.

Link for the Mass reading for Saturday, March 21, 2026