I will not boast, except of my weaknesses…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am … Read More
There are so many scriptures you overlook. But, might this be the scripture you most disobey? Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12.16 You might not fully understand what St. Paul is saying here, but it … Read More
This past week you served 10 people for four days with hardly a word of thanks for your efforts. How did that feel, my man!?! You didn’t think being treated like that was part of becoming like Jesus, did you? Welcome to His world. So, what did you do? You tried to convince yourself that you did a good job, … Read More
Now that your Lenten journey for 2022 is finished, one reflection remains before you move on to other posts about your experience of being God’s humility project. Through your experience at Holy Cross Monastery and transitioning into the pandemic-riddled Lenten season of 2020, you entered a deepening experience of transformation guided by the Apostle Paul from the book of Philippians. … Read More
For modern Christians who tolerate such diverse understandings and expressions of Christianity, a surprising aspect of being a true Christian is to watch out for deceivers, heretics, false teachers and teachings. You’ve often succumbed to this kind of person in your ignorance. Yet, St. Paul warns you to “look out for dogs, look out for evildoers, look out for those … Read More
The number may be inaccurate, but probably 90% of the time when you mess up with others, it’s because you haven’t loved them as Jesus does. True, you love as you are able yet you recognize how weak are your attempts. It really bothers you. Having been a Christian for almost all your life, you imagine you’d have developed a … Read More
The journey you are on is unique to you since you have particular issues that need to be dealt with. Most of these issues are universal to all human beings. For example, all humans struggle with pride which can lead to jealousy, hatred, conflict, anger, despair, judgmentalism, rivalry, selfishness, and the like. From these kinds of deep-seated passions arise evils … Read More
In light of recent events and meditations on Jesus’ humility, you have been challenged to re-evaluate your understanding and practice of “ministry.” Quite simply, you’re moving from a model of “help” to a model of “service.” In your life and ministry, you unintentionally equated the two actions. You never gave their distinctions much thought. Help and service looked the same … Read More
You’re on a roller-coaster-like journey teeming with concealed twists, turns, and plunges permeated with exciting mystery. Sometimes you cry out with tears of joy and/or fear. On the best of days, the spiritual adrenaline rush satiates your soul. On other days, the ride paralyzes you in dread and anxiety, debilitating your very being. Though this “in-Christ” life is yours to … Read More
God is calling you to a new place. That sentence is in the present tense. The “is” has been happening for a couple of decades and continues until now. You probably will experience this for the rest of your life. It’s a calling that keeps on calling. Perhaps it will never end, even in eternity. “God is faithful who has … Read More
