When Your Prayer Life Is Stuck
Last week I reread my book “Praying on Empty.” You might find some thoughts from it helpful—if not now, sometime later… My God, grant that I may love you, and grant that the only reward of my love will be to love you always more and more. A priest advised a man who couldn’t pray […]
Holy Spirit and Pentecost
In honor of Pentecost, the celebration of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the Church, here is the introduction to my newest book: The Holy Spirit: Font of Love, Life, and Power. Introduction At first I was tempted to title this book “The Holy Spirit: Our Superhero.” Since the 1930s, people have been intrigued with superheroes […]
The Holy Spirit: The Hidden God
My newest book is published and available. It is about the Third Person in God: the Holy Spirit. The introduction to the book says what I wish to say about the book, so I reproduced it here. If you would like a copy of this book, please purchase it directly from me so that my […]
The Holy Spirit, Our Invisible Friend
During these days of Pentecost, I am researching the Holy Spirit. Last year a parishioner asked me to write a book on this “forgotten member” of the Trinity. He said he didn’t understand this Third Person who is so nebulous. So in the process of preparing the book, I’m learning a great deal. Remember when […]
Holy Boldness, a Grace from the Holy Spirit
As I was contemplating making holy boldness the topic of this post, surfing TV channels took me to a preacher who was speaking on— guess what? holy boldness! Talk about affirmation. Perhaps someone (maybe me) needs to be encouraged to practice this virtue. Holy boldness is the courage to do something daring for God’s sake, […]
Children of the Trinity
As I reflected on Trinity Sunday, my thoughts flowed along this path: We believe that the one God is three divine Persons. We also believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God. We are God’s adopted children. It follows then, that we must bear a family resemblance. Of course, we will […]
Mary’s Holy Boldness
In this month of May devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is fitting that we reflect on her. I’d like to focus on one of the many ways that she is a model for all Christians: Mary had courage as she fulfilled her mission of bringing forth Christ into the world and furthering […]
On Fire with the Spirit
As we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Church, it’s good to reflect on just who this Person is and who he is for us. Remember when we called the Holy Spirit the Holy Ghost? That spooky term did not do much to encourage a relationship with the third person of […]
Listening and Looking during Lent
My friend Sister Mary John Paul wrote an intriguing and thought-provoking article for our Associate newsletter. She let me share it here. Coincidentally (?) it echoes the theme of a book I’m reading now called Becoming Beholders. The book develops the idea that everything, person, and occasion can be a channel of grace, a sacrament. […]
The Holy Spirit, St. Patrick, and the Conclave
A Jesuit priest once asked me if I ever prayed to the Holy Spirit. “No,” I said. “I’m surprised,” he replied, “because you’re a writer.” Ever since then I’ve turned to the Holy Spirit for help, especially when I need an idea. He or she does not disappoint. Suddenly an idea will float into my […]
