On the advice of counsel, I hereby withdraw the labor grievance I filed more than 30 years ago. The expert with whom I consulted comes highly recommended and works pro bono. I am sure you have heard of him. His name is Matthew from the firm of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, LLC. Today’s Gospel… [Read More]
Peter Kreeft’s “Nineteen Types of Judgment”: An Outline
It’s back-to-school time in the Year of Mercy, so I bring you a learning opportunity. I am a teacher by training (although not currently by profession), so I love learning, and I love helping other people learn. It’s a reflex, an instinct, and the method by which I hope to make a difference in the… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 14, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday August 14, 2016 Lectionary: 120 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10 This week’s first reading from the book of prophet Jeremiah recounts for us the challenges we may be faced with when conveying God’s truth when the message is unpopular. In this passage Jeremiah is accused of demoralizing… [Read More]
The Image of Divine Mercy In My Soul
In the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska when speaking of the image of Divine Mercy, Jesus tells her, “My image already is in your soul.” (Diary 49) The image of God was present in man from the beginning when God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” (Gen. 1:26) and… [Read More]
Embrace the world: How to love in troubled times
Today is the feast day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, or Edith Stein. She was born into a Jewish family, but became a decided atheist in her youth. She grew into a brilliant intellectual, writer, and philosopher. Her search for truth lead her into the Catholic Church, and into religious life as a… [Read More]
Leadership in Difficult Times: Thanking God for Pope Francis
There’s plenty to be anxious about right now. Plenty to sweat over and stress over and just wear ourselves out with worry over. It could make anyone want to live under a rock — honestly I kinda understand the appeal of living under a rock as a reactive response to everything that’s happening. Against the… [Read More]
La Apóstola María Magdalena
Corría, corría como solo puede correr una mujer que está emocionada porque le urge dar una noticia. Era María Magdalena, la mujer y primera testigo de la resurrección de Jesús. Ella amo de forma apasionada y pura a Jesús. “El que ve su pecado Es mayor que el que resucita a los muertos” escriben los… [Read More]
“Divine Mercy Man” Vinny Flynn headlines Turning Point September 23
What are the seven secrets of Divine Mercy? And do you want to know these secrets for your life? These are some of the questions that will be answered by best-selling author and renowned Catholic speaker Vinny Flynn as he continues his popular “7 Secrets” series on Friday, September 23, 2016, at TurningPoint, an evening… [Read More]
Finding God, Funny Times, and Failing Health (Review: “Operating on Faith”)
I tend not to like vignette-style books. I never did like The House on Mango Street, critical acclaim and racially diverse protagonist notwithstanding. I do, however, enjoy stories of young adults living the Catholic life with joy, not bitterness. It’s refreshing, and it’s my reality. With a lighthearted approach in mind, I read Operating on… [Read More]
God’s Love Revealed Through My Dad
I have been so blessed to see God’s love revealed through people here on earth. This reflection has been a recent revelation from events 34 years ago. It is important to take the time to look back at our lives to see more fully what God has for us in our past experiences. It was April 25,… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – July 31, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 31, 2016 Lectionary: 114 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Ecclesiastes 1:2,2:21-23 This week’s first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes is part of the great wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The tone of this book is unusual because it presents what appears to be a negative and depressing… [Read More]
Seven Minute Break With the Holy Spirit
Take a 7 minute break to join me in prayer with the Holy Spirit in this guided meditation. [powerpress] Finding a still, quiet place for your prayer time is recommended. It seems that with all the tumult in the world, and all the urgent prayer requests I have been receiving lately, we could all… [Read More]
You are gods (Jn 10:34)
Jesus says, “You are gods.” (Jn. 10:34) How is this possible? At baptism, we become “partakers of the divine nature,” (CCC 1265 or 2Pt.1:4) or as St. Athanasius states that we are, “becoming by grace what God is by nature.” The Catechism quotes St. Athanasius to explain this teaching, “For the Son of God became… [Read More]
La Virgen Santísima y su autoridad en las Bodas de Cana
Acabo de imaginarme a la Santísima Virgen preparándose para su boda con San José. La Virgen era una joven pobre y San José era un hombre de su misma condición. Los dos eran personas muy humildes, ese tipo de personas que no estamos acostumbrados a ver en la televisión ni en las revistas de… [Read More]
What Kind of Sower Are You?
[This is a guest post from Norine Shaivitz.] It seems like a waste of seed to throw it on a walking path that’s frequented by birds. I bet a real farmer wouldn’t throw seeds where the ground is rocky or full of weeds either. That was the thought that ran through our minds as my… [Read More]
8th Annual Diocesan Men’s Fellowship Mass – July 23
Post Update July 25, 2016: The event was a great success, and you can see photos from the Mass below. Full photo gallery by Raphael Riojas. https://riojasphotography.smugmug.com/CTFCM/2016-Mens-Mass For the 8th year in a row, there will be a Holy Mass celebrated as an encouragement to men. It’s easy to feel discouraged in a world that… [Read More]
Faith in Action (Review: 7 Habits That Define Our Catholic Identity)
I wasn’t raised Catholic, but I’m not a convert, either. My mom’s side of the family is Catholic, so I was baptized as a baby and received my other sacraments of initiation on the usual timeline. I never say that I was raised Catholic, though. We didn’t go to church, not even for Christmas or… [Read More]
God, Where Have You Gone?
God, where have you gone? It’s morning, the sun is just starting to cut through the darkness of the night and I find myself restless in bed. I will have to get up and start my day soon. The rooster crows letting me know that it is time, time to get my morning routine going…. [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – July 17, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 17, 2016 Lectionary: 108 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Genesis 18:1-10 In this week’s first reading from the Old Testament, we see Abraham, the ancient patriarch and father of our faith, respond to God by the hospitality he shows to three of God’s messengers. In this mysterious passage, three… [Read More]
How To Make Your Dreams Holy
Do you ever lament the consistent or occasional impurity of a dream? At some point in our life, we learn what triggers nighttime temptations. For some it is the Facebook scroll through that one person’s profile. For another it might be flirting through text or phone conversations or Snapchat. For someone else it might be… [Read More]
God is here.
God is here. In the middle of the traumatic events of the last several days, in the midst of the anger and grief we are experiencing as a country right now, the Spirit of God moves among us in blossoming uprisings of love, unity, and understanding that surprise and open hearts. You may not have heard… [Read More]
Friendship in the Fathers: Basil and Gregory
Sin and a lack of friendship Sin is nothing new to the world; since our first parents fell from the state of paradise sin and its effects have plagued us in our persons, our families, and nations. It is clear that we are mired in sin. It seems like each day we hear of another… [Read More]
America: On the Forces that Shape Us
It’s always difficult to put into words the transformation that happens within a human heart as it works to grasp the reality of tragic news unfolding. I hopped into my car Friday morning totally ignorant of what happened in Dallas Thursday night. When I switched on NPR like usual, my mind tripped over itself trying to comprehend. It was… [Read More]
Sunday Says – July 10, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 105 Reading 1 Deuteronomy 30:10-14 This week’s first reading from the book of Deuteronomy is a quick recap of the heart of the law of Moses. Namely, God wants us to love Him without reserve. The Lord is often referred to as somehow being separate from us and in the… [Read More]
Carmelite Spirituality for the Analytical Mind (Review: “The Dark Night of the Soul” by Gerald May)
I have a relatively new interest in the intersection of psychology and spirituality. I have some good friends who are Catholics and counselors, and while I treasure the opportunities I’ve had to walk alongside people on their spiritual journeys, I’ve never wanted to pursue that path myself. I don’t even have much interest in spiritual… [Read More]
Are You At Peace?
Are you at peace in the sight of Christ? Am I at peace in the sight of Christ? I remember one time; we had adoration as part of our parish mission. At one point the deacon walked all around the church with the Blessed Sacrament. As Jesus approached me I was filled with an incredible… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – July 3, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 3, 2016 Lectionary: 102 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 66:10-14c This week’s first reading is from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament near the end of the book. The people of Israel and Judah have suffered much since their time in exile in Babylon and now… [Read More]
Five minute mystic part II: deeper prayer as a couple
First try I set the timer for an non-intimidating five minutes. We decided to begin with the Our Father, and at the end of the five minutes of silence, to pray the Glory Be. He said he was a little nervous. I agreed that it felt funny. Inner prayer, or “mental prayer,” as St. Teresa… [Read More]
Mercy: The force that overcomes everything (Or, thoughts on how to get unstuck)
Have you ever been in one of those arguments where you get sucked into the back and forth, like a frenzied game of tug-a-war? Except no one is playing, and in fact the whole emotional environment feels weighty and overly serious, like we’re arguing about way more than the dishwasher all of a sudden. Sometimes… [Read More]
Papá…el primer amor
“¡Ah! ¿Cómo poder repetir todas las ternuras que papá prodigaba a su reinecita? Hay cosas que el corazón siente, pero que ni la palabra, ni siquiera el pensamiento pueden expresar…” Santa Teresita de Jesús Santa Teresita es una de mis santas más amadas. Por ella y gracias a Historia de un alma , su autobiografía… [Read More]
Corpus Christi, Faith, and Culture
Here in Guatemala, the feast of Corpus Christi is awesome. The whole diocese celebrates it together on the appointed day but in the following weeks, each particular parish church has its own celebration of Corpus Christi. These celebrations are a big deal… A really big deal. In the larger churches, they are celebrated as an… [Read More]
Mango Ministry: Fruitful Lessons from a Family Tree
Everybody gets a mango! Today’s gospel reading from Matthew reminded me of the huge mango tree that was in my side yard when I was growing up in South Florida. Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will… [Read More]
5 Things You Should Do at the End of Mass
In my five years of blessings as a contributor here at ATX Catholic, I have taken one post per year to write something that is not a review. Instead, I write about something a little closer to my heart. They’re more like the things I post at my personal blog, Lindsay Loves. In my very… [Read More]
A Good, Good Father
Father’s Day was yesterday. When we think about fathers where does one even start? I don’t really think you can start anywhere else but with the Father, God. He is the Creator, the original and eternal Father, the Good, Good Father. Seriously, there are a lot of great fathers out there but there is only… [Read More]
Gazing at the Image or Icon of Divine Mercy
What does gazing at an image or icon of Divine Mercy do for my mind, body, and soul? The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The beauty of images moves me [us] to contemplation…” (1162) So what is contemplation? “Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus, ‘I look at him and he… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 19, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday June 19, 2016 Lectionary: 96 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Zechariah 12:10-11,13:1 In this week’s first reading from the Old Testament the Prophet Zechariah addresses the people of Jerusalem who have suffered much while trying to rebuild their city after their return from exile in Babylon. Zechariah speaks of a… [Read More]
A Commemoration of Bishop-Elect “Fr. David” Konderla
“With great joy, St. Mary’s Catholic Center At Texas A & M announces: “Fr. David” Konderla beloved pastor and director of campus ministry, will be ordained and installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa On June 29, 2016” I remember Fr. David as a grinning, ramrod straight young priest who laughed at… [Read More]
Who is Mary as Mediatrix?
So I know it’s not May anymore, but I’d like to share a post that was planned for May, but providentially is being published today. What does a name for Mary have to do with the incredible suffering happening now in Orlando? The following is my humble reflection in answer to that question. I had been… [Read More]
Sunday Says – June 12, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary:93 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 2 Samuel 12:7-10;13 This week’s first reading is from Samuel we hear Nathaniel appear to David to chastise him in the name of the Lord. The Lord reminds David that everything great that he has received has been a direct blessing from Him. It… [Read More]
Learning to Speak Spanish
As I write this blog, I am sitting in the beautiful city of Antigua, Guatemala. I’ve been here in Guatemala for a little over a week. The primary purpose of me coming to this ancient ciudad is to learn Spanish so that in the future I will be able to speak the language of many… [Read More]
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