There is a little part of the mass that sticks out me (actually a lot of little things do but that is not the point hee hee) and it is just as the Gospel is about to be read. The priest announces, “A reading from the Gospel according to John.” and we respond “Glory to… [Read More]
About Joshua Villarreal
Embracing God’s Response To Prayer
In prayer, I often find that I seek answers in life. I know that this is a totally uncommon practice (wink wink) but questioning God and His Will, at least for the past few years, has been incredibly involved with seeking answers. There are so many questions that we become obsessed with that, I would… [Read More]
“Most of You Are Probably Called To Marriage”
“Most of You Are Probably Called To Marriage”, said Mark Hart at DCYC 2013. Suddenly, a look of annoyance crossed his face. “Excuse me,” he said, “Some of you are called to marriage. SOME of you, but not all of you.” I remember, at the time, the fact that he went out of his way… [Read More]
Love As A Lack of Understanding
I recently re-watched the movie Man Of Steel and I absolutely love it. The character is incredibly Christ-like in the way he is portrayed. The scene that sticks out mostly to me is where Zod, the film’s antagonist, asks for mankind to give up Clark or have their whole world be destroyed. Confused as to why he… [Read More]
The Birds in the Sky
In the midst of finals, I find that many friends, including myself experience mini-existential crises. We wonder what we are doing with our lives, how this grade will affect the future, and how we are supposed to make meaning in this messy little thing called life. I worry about where I am supposed to be… [Read More]
Like The Dew Fall
There is a part of the Eucharistic Liturgy that always sticks out to me, other than the Consecration of course, and that is one of the initial blessings where the priest says, “Lord let your Spirit descend upon these gifts like the dew fall so that they may become the Body and Blood of Our… [Read More]
The Weight of the Old Testament: A Consistent God
In a number of conversations I have had with Protestants, a certain phrase has come up a few times that has baffled me. We could be casually talking about Jesus and religion when he or she will say “the Old Testament doesn’t really matter, it just leads up to Jesus.” This statement baffles me for… [Read More]
Ya Gotta Be A Straight Shooter Do Ya Got it?
If you didn’t catch the Aladdin reference, here you go. The joke ends at about 35 seconds in. Thanks and Gig’em. “Do you have what it takes?” The recurring trial of being a man; the question that can plague a man’s heart in the midst of suffering. This question has been on the soul of every… [Read More]
A Fresh Start
I’ve been thinking a lot about the mercy that God has on His children despite how terrible they are to Him. We are totally undeserving of the salvation that was achieved for us through the greatest suffering that the world has ever known. For this love is totally illogical: that a deity would make a… [Read More]
Tips For High School Seniors, Heck, High School-ers in General
It’s like they always say, retrospective is always twenty-twenty. The ever-celebrated high school senior year is an incredibly emotion filled time period. The stress of college applications, trying to figure out what career you want to do, and how you interact with friends and relationships in this last year of being home can weigh on… [Read More]
Discernment As It Should Be
I was born into a wonderful catholic family with two amazing parents and the blessing of four siblings. My parents did a wonderful job in instilling the faith in me, showing me the gift of wonder and awe from a very early age. Looking back on my childhood, there is never a moment where Jesus… [Read More]
She Got Her Own House And Her Own Car
In case you didn’t catch the reference, the title of this post refers to a song by a rap artist named “Webbie.” In his song titled “Independent” he states that he is attracted toa girl because she isn’t, what one would refer to as, a “gold digger” because she works or something. (I do not… [Read More]
Hole-y Hearts: A Testimony to Ritual
Three days ago I moved into my apartment at Texas A&M. The good-bye to my family was sad, and although I could see how hot some of their eyes were getting, they held it together, which meant that I could hold it together. I love my family dearly and it was painful to see them… [Read More]
