Reflections of a beloved son

Sometimes it seems like everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.  Oftentimes it seems like no one cares, and no one bothers to listen.  When I have reached rock bottom it seems like there is no way back up.  Have you ever felt this way?  It’s a horrible feeling to have.  To feel that no one cares and understands, and then try to go through the motions, it just takes so much work and so much energy out of me.  I feel alone.  However, we are told “ God is close to the broken-hearted ” ( Ps. 34:19 ).   Even when we feel all alone and that no one cares we must remember and we must try our best to know and believe that the Father is there with us .  He’s there walking with us.  He’s there when things seems to go wrong.  He’s there when it seems like no one is listening and that no one cares or bothers to ask and understand. And, he’s right there with us at rock bottom.  In fact, He’s always been there.  He’s waitin...

It's true isn't it?  We sometimes only hear what we want to hear .  If it sounds similar to what I would say, then yes I am all in, "I hear ya."  But if what is offered is criticism , words that are hard to swallow, then "No thank you.  Didn't hear what you said."  Have you ever experienced that? Why is it so hard to listen to, let alone receive, criticism?  I know it's hard for me because it attacks my pride and selfishness .  I want to present myself as perfect , and when someone hints slightly that I am not, I get frozen, unsure how to respond, and do not listen.  In telling me that I was not as good as I believed I was, it attacks my pride; in sharing with me thoughts and ideas I could improve upon, it attacks my selfishness.  I think these two qualities are a dynamic duo, but a bad one, an unhealthy one, one that can lead to fractured relationships and destructive self image .  In today's Gospel reading , Jesus said to the Jewi...

(Originally penned First Sunday of Lent, March 10, 2019) “ Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart…rend your hearts, not your garments ” (Joel 2:12-13). What came to your mind when you read the title?   How do you define brokenness?   What is sacred space to you?   How can brokenness be sacred space? Perhaps the term “brokenness” or “woundedness” can carry with it a negative connotation.   Maybe it means “messiness” or “trouble” or “guilt.”   No matter what your definition of “brokenness” may be, the reality is that we are all broken.   I am a broken man.   And, you too are a broken man or woman.   However, my brokenness is different from your brokenness.   One important thing we ought to remember is that we are not defined necessarily by our brokenness.   For one person, their brokenness could be the constant feeling of loneliness and the fears and insecurities that plague him or her.   For another ...

Come out and show yourselves!   This is what the Lord said to the People through the Prophet Isaiah ( Is. 49:8-15 ) in today's first reading.  Do we hide who we really are because we are ashamed of who we believe that we are?  Do we believe the lies about ourselves that the world drills into our minds?  God says to us: " Come out and show yourselves! " We must not believe in the lies what others and the world say about who we are.  Who we are is not based on any material thing.  We are not what we do.  We are not what we have.  We are not what others say that we are.  The essence of who we are is rooted in the Father.  We are children of God.  We are His beloved ones.  Our true identity lies in something that is eternal , and nothing that is temporal and limited .  If we root our identity in things that are not permanent and transient, we are guaranteed to get hurt and eventually find ourselves confused and sad.  ...

Are you tired?   Are you tired of trying to hold everything together?  Are you tired of trying to put on a brave face?  Are you tired of trying?  Are you tired of feeling like you are doing everything alone?  God is saying to you, " You are not alone; I am with you ."  He is with you, sitting with you, and asking you, " Do you want to be well? " In today's Gospel reading , there is a man lying on the floor who is unable to walk, and Jesus asks him that question.  The man did not say "yes" or "no," but rather did what I often do - try to avoid giving a straight answer, and making excuses.  The man said that no one helped him into the pool.  What are my excuses ?  Do I allow excuses to keep me from getting closer to the Father?  Do I allow excuses to keep me from getting closer to others?  Do I make excuses instead of reaching out? Oftentimes when we see someone who we love and care for struggling, we wish we could help them....