Years ago, I received a phone call from a telemarketer, and when she began her sales pitch, I interrupted her and asked, “Is this a sales call?” When she admitted it was, I said, “Here is my policy: I’ll ask you a question, and if you can answer it...
Fr Joseph Esper
Fr Dino Vanin
Carolyn Humphreys, O.C.D.S.Recent Essays
Jennifer Borek
Deacon Gregory Webster
Deacon Steve GrecoReflections- From Our Archives
Our Mission in Life
“You are the salt of the earth” “You are the light of the world.” Here are two of the most direct, targeted expressions uttered by Jesus. We all know how doctors frown upon those who munch on salty snacks and are rather...
Alexandra BochteWorld Mission Sunday
Today is World Mission Sunday. It should be the Day meant to define and shape every single day of our life as disciples of Jesus Christ, because he has entrusted us with the spreading of the Good News, the most...
Deacon Kurt Godfryd
Our Missionary Calling
Early in the 20th century a Catholic missionary arrived at a remote village in China, where he began sharing the Gospel with those who would accept it. The missionary approached three men who were very close friends and...
Leading a Prayerful Life
God calls us to celebrate World Mission Sunday within the context of prayer. Here are some challenging conclusions to be drawn from this statement. In giving the definition of herself at the 2nd Vatican Council, the...
Michael BaglinoJesus Has A Plan For Each Of Us
One summer day over thirty years ago, a man named Dave had been spearing catfish with some friends; this fishing technique required them to swim underwater for as long as they could hold their breaths—and in the process...
Doers of Jesus
Humbly welcome the Word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Perhaps the full impact of this simple recommendation from James...
Deacon Donald Cox
The Lord Has A Mission For Each Of Us
A number of years ago, before the use of computers in schools became widespread, an experiment was conducted in California. Computers were programmed with educational games designed to reinforce basic concepts in math...
Sharing the Gospel
Once upon a time two very good and holy men who lived in the same town died on the exact same day. They had never met during their lifetimes—for one was quite poor, and had lived in the ghetto, or rundown section of...
All Essays
Being a Faithful Catholic in Today’s World
Years ago, I received a phone call from a telemarketer, and when she began her sales pitch, I interrupted her and asked, “Is this a sales call?” When she admitted it was, I said, “Here is my policy: I’ll ask you a...
Guideposts on the Journey
The bishop of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, many years ago, was a great preacher and evangelizer. He tried to reach out to unbelievers, scoffers, and cynics. He liked to tell the story about a young man who would stand...
Presumption
My favorite rendition of the Crucifix is the one whose arms are perfectly horizontal, as to embrace the whole world. The readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time illustrate the fact that God wishes to include every...
God Does See and Appreciate Our Sacrifices
A woman named Marian was married and the mother of eight children, including an infant son named Jacob. Marian was given a great gift from a close friend: the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during the...
Crawling Back to God’s Law
In our last thrilling episode (See Slip-Sliding Away from God’s Law), we highlighted two Truths that considered together tend to make us uncomfortable: Since the days of Moses, the second part of the Third Commandment...
Tom Borek
Jesus’ Nephesh is the Healing Remedy
It was a great blessing to read the special interview of Father Rozo Palic entitled “The Wounded Healer” in the last issue of Shalom Tidings (March/April 2026). It served as a reminder for me as a Psychotherapist and...
James S. Anderson
Br Matthew Marie, OSB
Vincent Ryan Ruggiero
A New Commandment
One of the worst sinking feelings we do not want to experience in our fast-paced world is pressing the ignition button and failing to hear the vrmmmm sound of our car awakening from its mechanical sleep.The readings (Is...
The Kingdom of Heaven
On the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear the familiar term Kingdom of Heaven. It must be quite important because we hear it often; but do we clearly know what it refers to? Other similar terms are: the Good News...
