Posts Tagged

Seize the Moment

I’ve written extensively in this space about my journey as a disciple: I’ve written about using a compliment on my beard as an opening to invite someone to church (July 2018). I’ve mentioned the faith conversations I get into on Ash Wednesday because of my dirty forehead (Mar. 2019), and …

In my column from last month’s issue, I closed with these words: “In Jesus, there is always more to life.” My family recently spent some vacation time in Maine, and it provided me ample opportunity to ponder “more to life.” One day, when there was a break in the summer …

There are many falls on a pilgrimage. No one teaches us this more poignantly than Jesus. His humanity was on full display when He fell three times under the weight of the Cross on His way to be crucified. It’s both alarming and relatable to see the God-man fall and …

“I think we should join this pagan homeschool co-op.” Those are words you don’t hear every day. Yet, sure enough, about two years ago my wife made that announcement from the other end of the house. Sufficiently derailed from my work in the office, I joined her in the living …

I’m very … particular. Hang out with me long enough and you’ll see what I mean. How papers are written, how posters are designed, how food tastes, how clothes fit, how temperature is regulated, everything has to be just so. If something is even slightly off, I can tell. Most …

When I was a kid, I used to hate making my bed. To me, it just didn’t make any sense. Why am I making my bed when I’m just going to mess it up again? Is someone coming over? If not, why bother? But, despite my protests, I had to …

I recently made the decision to sell a series of books by Hans Urs von Balthasar. They had always been treasures of mine but, at 16 volumes, I knew I would never get around to reading them. It’s impossible to buy them as a set anymore, and their rarity tempted …

Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen liked to say that there are two ways to start the day: One is to say, “Good morning, God.” The other is to say, “Good God, morning!” To some, every day is a gift. To others, it is a rude awakening. In his book Life Is …

Death creates a tension within us. We know that it is inevitable, yet we also have a strong desire to prolong our lives. Dr. Ernest Becker, father of Terror Management Theory, says that we develop various phobias in order to cope with this tension. If you’re afraid of heights, it’s …

It’s hard to share your faith at school. No one wants to stand out or have unpopular opinions. When I first decided to share my faith, it was in college. Through intense study, I became a passionate Catholic – but everyone around me either didn’t care or they strongly disagreed …