Catholic Journal

Acknowledging Jesus By the Way We Live

Once there was a British story named Tom Brown’s School Days; it was about a very popular boy named Tom who was a student at an English boarding school. He and a dozen other boys lived in one of...

We Are Never Alone

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. (Matthew 11:29) How can Jesus’ “yoke,” (i.e. his challenging teachings) be construed as “easy” and its burden “light?” Jesus’ yoke is...

The Lord is Calling Each of Us

One summer morning a farmer named Ned was helping his neighbor Willy build a new fence, but the work was going slowly. Finally, Ned deliberately dropped a fence post in a muddy puddle of water, splattering both men with mud. Ned’s wife happened to...

All Essays

The World’s Oldest Republic

Only one country in the entire world can boast of more cars than people within its borders—an astounding 25 percent more, according to the most recent statistics. Can you guess the country? I’ll give you a few more...

Forgive Me

I come to You, to speak today For I know it’s been far too long. Since we last spoke, I’ve made mistakes And now I feel destined alone. I took a path I thought You paved me to I confused Your will with temptation. The...

Jesus: The Source of Our Lasting Joy

The most common word found in birthday cards is “special.” Happy Birthday to a special girl, a special boy, a special (fill in the blank). It is up to the person sending the birthday card to make the person celebrating...

Sacred Signs Around Us

Sacred signs around and within us indicate God’s presence in our lives. By acknowledging them, we acknowledge the divinity of God and the mystery in us. We become more aware of God’s presence as our sensitivity to his...

The Gifts Jesus Seeks

Toward the end of the 19th century a man in North Carolina named William Sydney Porter was convicted of embezzlement or stealing from his employer, and sent to prison. Though a convicted criminal, his short life ended...