Content with a Soul
Drew “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” How often have we heard this phrase, in one form or another? Countless times. It rings true at the time, but then Monday morning comes. I am back at work, sliding into the familiar routine, and it is easy … Read more
Jesus’s proclamation that the Church will be built on Peter is intriguing, because Jesus says that Peter’s faith is the reason, not his strength, courage, nor any other skill or trait. This doesn’t mean that Peter will never falter, as we know that he does. But it shows that deep down, this anchor of faith … Read more
In Matthew’s Gospel, the encounter with the Canaanite woman stands as an enduring testament to the power of persistent faith. We witness a mother driven by sheer desperation, pleading for the healing of her child. She endures initial silence and repeated denial, and yet she refuses to walk away. When Jesus finally responds to answer … Read more
“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Those words, spoken across dark and turbulent sea, should put to rest any fear or hesitation. And yet, moments later, we see Peter sinking into the sea. Despite Truth itself standing inches away, Peter could not convince his physical senses to submit. He felt the storm, … Read more
It is easy to let the sheer scale of the miracle obscure the quiet, profound humanity that precedes it. When we read Matthew’s account of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, we often jump straight to the thousands fed, the baskets of leftovers, and the suspension of natural law. But look at the context … Read more
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure As with so much of the Gospel, the parable of the hidden treasure holds a mirror up to our daily lives. Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field; when a man finds it, he hides it again, and out of … Read more
How do we approach the “weeds” in our lives? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the weeds and the wheat. A farmer sows good seed, but in the night, an enemy sows weeds among it. When the servants ask if they should immediately pull the weeds, the master tells them no, … Read more
We often overlook preparation and patience as we rush to find answers and solutions. And yet, Jesus reminds us of the profound importance of these two traits through the parable of the sower. The Necessity of Worked Soil When we are building or growing anything of value, preparation is critical, because the sower reaps the … Read more
Before reading the passages for this week, I had wanted to craft a theme around patriotism and related to the Fourth of July, but as they say, man plans and God laughs. The Gospel is a direct response to the namesake here – the call from Jesus to all those with a restless life. And … Read more
The Logistical Puzzle of a Modern Summer As I mentioned last week, it’s been a busy time for me and my family. It feels like we are constantly on the go. The hectic nature of summer break as a working parent is a stark contrast to the leisurely pace of the summers I remember as … Read more