Reflections
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Good Friday
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in ReflectionsMy wife took the beautiful photo that inspired this painting. There was something about this dandelion that captivated me. He’s reaching the end of the line. He is weary but remains proud and steadfast. Some called him a weed, disrupting the status quo and infecting the neighborhood. But he knows the truth. He has run his…
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That Time Jesus Got Canceled
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in ReflectionsAs he rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, his popularity was sky-high. He had the people’s hearts, hopes, and attention. They hung on his every word and waited eagerly for his next viral hit. How would he top raising Lazarus from the dead?! Jesus was the OG influencer, two thousand years before Youtube and TikTok. No one…
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Always Be Prepared
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in ReflectionsI was a Cub Scout as a kid, but never advanced to the Boy Scouts. Still, I always appreciated their motto, “Always be prepared.” When I travel for a speaking engagement, my carry-on backpack is crammed with stuff I may need if things go sideways. I associate preparedness with wisdom and prudence, which are virtues.…
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I Can’t Believe It’s Not Jesus!
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in ReflectionsIn some ways, Wiccans are more Catholic than Catholics. For over two thousand years, the Catholic Church has maintained its understanding of transubstantiation, which is the belief that during Mass, the bread and wine used for Communion become the actual, literal body and blood of Jesus Christ. We know, it’s a hard teaching. People have…
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Just Like Judas?
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in ReflectionsThere are certain bad guys in the Bible we like to jeer: Pharaoh. Goliath. The Pharisees. We often treat them as one-dimensional villains, condescendingly shaking our heads at their failings and rolling our eyes at their hard-headedness. You only had one job, Adam and Eve! Take a chill pill, Cain! I can’t believe you keep…
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Ready to Ash Your Phone?
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in ReflectionsLet’s play a game. I am thinking of a person, place, or thing that, if you are reading this, likely plays a very important role in your life. Let’s see if you can guess what I am describing… ______ is always with us. ______ is the first thing we check in with each morning and…
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I Didn’t Get Anything Out of Mass
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in ReflectionsThis is a common complaint (one I’ve uttered myself more times than I care to admit!). Eventually I realized a few things. Mass does not exist to serve me. It’s not a movie, a rock concert, or a Tony Robbins motivational seminar. It’s not something you roll up to with a pair of 3D glasses…
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Acts of God
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in ReflectionsEvidently, all lawyers and insurance companies believe in God. After all, they regularly use the term “Act of God” in legal contexts, insurance policies, and contracts. In such cases, an Act of God is a natural event that occurs without human intervention and for which no one can be held responsible. Some examples include earthquakes,…
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The Immaculate Tour Guide
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in ReflectionsThe Mass is boring. I grew up Catholic, and when I was a kid, that’s how I felt. And I’ll admit that there have even been times as an adult when I find my mind wandering or glance down to check my watch. And yet…ever since my youth, despite my occasional lack of enthusiasm for…
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The Greatest Superhero
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in ReflectionsI was leading a Bible study with my kids and their homeschool friends recently. We were digging into the story in Matthew in which Jesus sent his Apostles out on a mission. He gave them some of his superpowers: casting out demons, healing the sick, cleansing lepers, and raising the dead. I asked the kids…