Author Archives: Michael

To Happiness

God wills our happiness, and our happiness lies in our service to Him.  God calls each by name to a particular service for which they were created and no other can do. This is our work. This is the good … Continue reading

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To the Rock

“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?” (2 Samuel 22:32) He is the Rock “that begot” us (Deuteronomy 32:18), and whose “work is perfect” and “ways are justice” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).  “There is … Continue reading

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To the Marriage of Gomer and Hosea

In many ways, Hosea’s marriage to Gomer prefigures Christ’s marriage to His church.   Gomer was a harlot with many lovers, yet the prophet Hosea married her at God’s request.  Gomer would be unfaithful, leaving Hosea for her former lovers, yet … Continue reading

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To Belonging

Belonging resides in the deepest recesses of our being.   From the first moments of our birth comfort and security of belonging comes from being held and embraced, and later our identity of belonging comes from family and friends. Yet our … Continue reading

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To Matters of the Day

St. John of Avila noted in a letter: Say in your heart, “I am being led captive to death; what is this world to me? I am going to God; I do not wish to entangle myself in earthly things.” … Continue reading

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To Man’s Image and Likeness

Man was created in God’s image and likeness, not in a bodily image and likeness of God, for God does not have a bodily form.  Rather, man was created in the image and likeness of God’s essence.  Hence, man is … Continue reading

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Near in Mouth and Heart

Prayer consists in having the Lord not only near in mouth, but also near in heart.  “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Prayer does not comprise one empty phrase heaped upon another.  Rather, … Continue reading

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To a Humble Heart

The Lord hears and responds to the call of a humble heart.   Call on Him with confidence and courage. The Lord seeks and desires a heart free of self and the world, for a heart burdened with self and the world … Continue reading

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To Live and Practice Our Faith

Jeremiah gives a beautiful description of how to live and practice our faith: Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man … Continue reading

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To Humility, Generosity and Confidence

St. Francis de Sales teaches that humility is more than us lacking trust in ourselves.  On the contrary, humility is an expression of our confidence in God and His generosity. For in humility we can echo words of St. Paul … Continue reading

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