When I was growing up, my family would go over to my grandparent’s house every Christmas to watch Rudolph on their color TV. Of course, the story of Rudolph has very little to do with the story of Jesus – but that doesn’t mean there’s not an important message. After watching it again as an…
This past weekend, I pointed out how the Gospels go to great lengths to show that the birth of Jesus was not an isolated event, but instead was part of a rich web of relationships extending through time and space. The great theologian and Catholic monk, Thomas Merton, once wrote: “Love is our true destiny.…
The purpose of Advent, the season of preparation before Christmas, is always the same: to wait and watch. Recently, I’ve witnessed families waiting and watching over their loved ones in hospice care. They kept vigil night and day. They waited and watched not out of obligation, but out of love. Was it easy? No. But…
When things are going well, it’s easy to take things for granted. For instance, you never stop to be thankful for two strong ankles until you sprain one and suddenly realize how important they are for locomotion. Too often, I dig right into a meal without stopping for even a moment to be grateful for…
I write my Last Word on Election day morning – having already cast my ballot. Tonight, we’ll know more about who’ll be leading us for the next four years. Some will be pleased, while others will no doubt be disappointed. I’ve heard many people say that regardless of who is elected today, on November 9th,…
The Good News of the Gospel is that we are freed from selfishness and sin to live our lives joyfully. However, sometimes even the best of us can get into a rut. Years ago, the Denver Zoo was offered the gift of a polar bear. The only problem was that there was no existing room,…
We are trained from a young age that good behavior and hard work are rewarded. But God’s grace teaches us a different lesson: that God loves us despite what we do or don’t do. Likewise, Jesus calls us to love and serve others not for personal gain – but because we have first been loved.…
Normally, I don’t care for television commercials, but I am always tickled by those Snickers commercials that end with the tag line, “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” One of my favorites was the one with Betty White playing backyard football with a bunch of guys and complaining that she wasn’t being treated fairly. Someone…
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Most people assume he meant the opposite – that if we value something, we’ll invest in it. But Jesus knew us better than that. He knew that people have the curious habit of loving the things they invest in, instead of vice versa.…
Being a good father, husband or employee isn’t something you decide to do once – and then it’s done. It’s a choice you make every day. No matter how far you’ve already come, there’s always room for improvement. And, generally speaking, the improvements you make aren’t big ones, but lots of little ones. This past…