St. Paul, the Preeminate Spiritual Director

30 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Spiritual Mentorship

Tags

Evangelization, Faith, Philippians 1:1-11, Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Spiritual Mentorship, St. Paul

A reflection on Philippians 1:1-11

In the first reading today from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he writes, “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…”. St. Paul was in prison somewhere, possibly facing death, yet his concern was for those in the Christian community of Philippi who may have very well been floundering in their faith or reverting to their pagan ways. He yearned to be there to help them grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Virgil leading Dante, a detail from *Inferno* by Tommaso de Vivo, Wikimedia Commons

St. Paul considered himself the least of the Apostles, yet he was probably the most passionate and aggressive of his cohort when it came to spreading the gospel. One can tell from his exhortations that he truly wanted people to understand the kerygma and to have a relationship with our Lord. As I reflected on this passage today in my morning prayer, it occurred to me that St. Paul was the preeminent Spiritual Director of his time.

The Philippians were fortunate to have him as their mentor in faith, to help them “discern what is of value”, so that they could grow in holiness and be well prepared for heaven when their day of particular judgment came. Fast forward two thousand years and we still need someone like St. Paul to walk with us, guide us, and assist us in learning to lead lives of virtue so that we, also, may become saints one day. Each of us should seek a Spiritual Director or Spiritual Mentor. In the words of St. Augustine, “As a blind man cannot follow the good road without a leader, no one can walk without a guide.”

A Spiritual Director or Mentor will help you not only go deeper in learning your faith, but will help you “follow the good road”, that is, to live a life of virtue. One of the most difficult things a person can do is to look inside and see the truths about themselves. A spiritual guide helps us draw back the curtains that hide the faults we can’t see: our pride, greed, anger, envy, sloth, gluttony, and lust – all vices that will keep us from attaining the level of holiness required for heaven – and help us take action to replace them with corresponding virtues.

I have had a Spiritual Director for nine years and I consider him and his guidance an absolutely necessary part of my life. I, myself, am a certified Spiritual Mentor offering guidance to ten other men, and the graces I receive by helping others grow in their relationship with Jesus are immeasurable.

If you are interested in finding a Spiritual Director or Spiritual Mentor, a good place to begin is to talk to your parish pastor or deacon. Often, they may have the time and have had training to assume this role. Alternately, many diocese’s websites contain lists of local Spiritual Directors who may or may not charge a fee for their guidance. Another good option is to visit the Holy Family School of Faith’s website, http://www.schooloffaith.com/spiritual-mentorship, and request a certified mentor. Mentors trained through the School of Faith, of which I am one, do not charge a fee for their guidance.

Sadly, there are too few Spiritual Directors and Mentors to meet all the needs of the faithful. If you feel called to do something about that, you can also visit the School of Faith Website and learn how to become a Spiritual Mentor yourself. I sincerely recommend it if you want to learn your faith at a deeper level and if you feel called to help others do the same.

“Heavenly Father, years ago You put men in my life who walked with and led me closer to You. I give You thanks for placing on my heart the desire toreturn that favor by helping other men do the same. Thank You for the many graces You’ve bestowed on me, especially the gift of my Spiritual Director. I pray that, by Your grace, we may build an army of Spiritual Mentors. Amen.”

(St. Paul, the Preeminent Spiritual Director, was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

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Be Amazing!

28 Sunday Jun 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Faith

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Baptism, Charity, Confirmation, Eucharist, Evangelization, Faith, Grace, Gratitude, Holy Communion, Jesus, Love, Matrimony, Mercy, Mt 8:5-17, Prayer, Reconciliation, Roman centurion, Sacraments, Trust

A reflection on Matthew 8:5-17

I retired from my parish staff position back in April for a variety of reasons, two of which were to take care of things around our house and property that haven’t got done over the last three years, and to regain a satisfactory prayer life that suffered due to the hours I worked. Now, I’m able to spend sufficient time in prayer each morning before donning work clothes and heading outside. The long hours of daylight are allowing me to get much done, but by the time I wrap things up, it’s too late to write any reflections on what might have inspired me during my morning prayer. Such was the case yesterday. But, I feel like it is blog worthy so I’m going to post it a day late anyway.

Saturday’s Gospel was from Mt 8:5-17, the instance when the Roman centurion appealed to Jesus to cure his paralyzed and suffering servant. When Jesus responded that He would come and cure him, the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” The centurion must have witnessed some miracles performed by Jesus and knew in his heart that all Jesus needed to do was ‘say the word’ and his servant would be healed. There was no need for Jesus to go to his house. The centurion’s faith so amazed Jesus that he proclaimed, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith!”

The centurion’s reply to Jesus should sound familiar to us. At every Mass during the Liturgy of the Eucharist we nearly mimic his words when we respond to the priest’s invitation to Communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” As I read those words I had to ask myself, “Does my faith amaze Jesus?”, and, perhaps more importantly, “If not, what can I do so that it will amaze Him?”

First of all, do I say the centurion’s words with faith, trusting that my prayer will be answered? Sometimes, but sometimes I just rotely repeat them while my mind wanders. And what does it mean for my soul to be healed? Well, I think it means many things, two of which are to be healed from doubt and other mental intrusions, like anxiety and busyness, that sneak in and supplant strong faith, and to be healed from succumbing to the variety of bad habits and temptations for venial sins and the occasional mortal sin. I know I can’t overcome these hurdles by myself, but do I truly believe that I can with Jesus’ help?

Spending quality time with Jesus in daily meditation will surely make my faith stronger. Conversing with Him, letting him know what’s going on in my life, my struggles and my joys, and listening to His response and direction will help me uncover my vices and replace them with virtues.

How much time do I spend being thankful for all the blessings He bestows on me. Although I give thanks every day, it’s probably not enough. Jesus asks us to pick up our crosses and follow him. How often do I complain about my predicaments and undesired situations? Too often. And do I thank Him even for the things I didn’t choose, don’t like, and can’t change, knowing that He’s allowing them to make me more dependent on Him? Not nearly enough.

Do I stop to reflect on the many graces I’ve received through the Sacraments? Through Baptism, Christ infused the grace of charity into my soul. How often do I utilize that grace and pay it forward by practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy? I can do better. I know that the Sacrament of Holy Communion gives me the strength to live a morally right and just life, but do I call that to mind at the moment of decision before committing an improper action or failing to do a proper one? Again, I can do better. Have I let fear override the grace I received from my Confirmation that gives me the fortitude to proclaim the gospel to others and evangelize? (Ah, finally one with which I think I do well!) Do I walk out of the confessional after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation feeling renewed because I’ve been absolved from my sins and given the grace to resist repeating them again? (Yes!, another one with which I can happily say, “I’m all in!”) Do I believe that I’ve been given all the graces necessary in the Sacrament of Matrimony to love unselfishly for the greater good and joy of my spouse? I believe it but, unfortunately, I sometimes forget it.

It’s obvious that, although I’d like to be, I’m not an amazing person. I have work to do.

How about you? Does your faith amaze our Lord? If not, what can you do to be more amazing?

(“Dear Lord, thank you for the time I spend with you in prayer. I am grateful for this exercise of growing in self-knowledge, the starting place for growing in holiness. Please help me turn to You more often and to say with faith as great as that of the centurion, ‘…only say the Word and my soul shall be healed.’ Amen.”)

(Be Amazing! was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Is Your Heart Filled with Joy?

24 Sunday May 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Blessed Sacrament, Communion, Eucharist

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Blessed Sacrament, Communion, Eucharist, Faith, Grace, Gratitude, Happiness, Holy Communion, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Joy, Love, Pentecost, Reverence, The Living God

I hope you’re enjoying and having a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend! I’m visiting my mother in my small home town in Missouri and, although it’s Sunday and Memorial Day is officially not until tomorrow, I visited my father’s gravesite at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery this afternoon.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles 50 days after Christ’s resurrection. My wife and I attended Mass this morning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with about 50 other faithful (there simply aren’t many Catholics in southeast Missouri). This small parish doesn’t have the numbers to have an actual choir but they do have two women with beautiful, harmonizing voices who led the congregation in singing the hymns a cappella. We actually sounded fairly good.

The Communion hymn sung this morning was I Received the Living God, and my attention was captured by the opening refrain:

“I received the living God, and my heart is filled with joy, I received the living God, and my heart is filled with joy.”

I looked up from the hymnal and gazed at the faces of those who had just received Communion and were walking back to their pews. I didn’t see a lot of joy on their faces. But, I didn’t expect to. Even in my home parish I seldom see any inkling of joy on the faces of those who have just received Communion. Instead, I see something akin to solemn sadness – heads down, sad eyes, no smiles, slow-walking – like their best friend just died. I’ve always thought there was something wrong with that picture.

For sure, there must be reverence when receiving the Eucharist, but I’ve never thought this was a time for sadness. This ought to be the highlight of one’s day! Yes, Jesus died a terrible death on a cross, an event that should never be forgotten or minimized, but he did it out of true love for each of us, a love that should be received with gratitude. His sacrifice saved us from eternal death and, instead, gives us hope for eternal salvation. He knew we would need His grace to combat the evil one so He gifts Himself to us supernaturally in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, an amazing gift that should arouse us and fill our hearts with joy.

In my home church, we have a figure of the risen Jesus on a cross above the entrance doors to the sanctuary. Jesus has his arms extended forwards in a gesture suggesting His immense love for us. When I receive Communion there, I look up with reverence to Jesus on the Crucifix hanging above the altar and I say “Thank You! for Your sacrifice”. Then, as I’m returning to my pew, it feels natural to look upon the cross with Jesus’ arms outstretched and say another reverent “Thank You for Your love and for the gift of Yourself in the Sacrament I just received!” There is always a smile on my face that reflects the gratitude and joy in my heart for having just received the living God.

When you receive the living God, will you let your heart be filled with joy?

“Lord Jesus, thank You for the sacrifice You made of Yourself for my sins, and thank You for giving Yourself to me in the Eucharist for the grace I need to be the disciple, husband, father, son, brother, and friend that You would have me be. Just knowing how much I am loved by You when I receive Your Precious Body and Blood fills my heart with joy! Thank You! Amen.”

(Is Your Heart Filled with Joy? was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Mystogogy – It’s Not Just for Neophytes

14 Tuesday Apr 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Evangelization

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Accompaniment, Eastertide, Evangelization, Faith, Friendship, Jesus, Mystogogy, Neophyte, OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Pentecost, Sacraments

At the Great Easter Vigil, we welcomed home, through Baptism and Full Communion, forty-four men, women and children, a record number, into our faith and into our parish family. Easter marked the culmination of twenty-eight weeks of OCIA formation for these new Catholics. Their initiation into the Church was not a graduation, but a commencement, a new beginning. Now, during the seven weeks between Easter and Pentecost, the neophytes (the moniker given to those coming into the Church during their first year) continue their spiritual growth in the period of “Mystogogy”. It is a special period when the neophytes begin living and experiencing the Sacraments, and dive deeper into living their faith instead of just learning “about” their faith. It can be a precarious, “make-it-or-break-it” period, marked by joyful continuing transformation, or being left to flounder in confusion.

Icon of the Holy Trinity, Andrej Rublev, circa 1411,

What is often overlooked is that Eastertide isn’t just a time for transformation for neophytes. No matter how long we’ve been Catholic, nor how devout we are, each of us is still on our individual, spiritual, lifelong journey of ongoing conversion of growing closer to, and following in the ways of, our Lord. Mystogogy is not just for neophytes, it is for each of us.

How Will You Live Eastertide, this period of celebration between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday?What will you do over the next six weeks? My hope is that you will give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon you, especially the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ; take time to pray and grow closer to Jesus; and that you will intentionally seek ways to live the Christ life through charity and love of your neighbor. I’d like to suggest a desperately needed and mutually beneficial way to love your neighbor and live that Christ life -accompany a neophyte!

Across our great country, the Church has experienced a record number of initiations this year. Your parish probably had a few, as well. If so, the neophytes need you! They need to be shown how to live their faith interiorly through prayer and fervent participation in the Sacraments, especially Mass and Reconciliation. They need to see how their faith can be lived exteriorly by serving within and outside of our Catholic community. They need friendship, people who will nurture them and show them the way. They need reinforcement that they made the right choice. They need personal invitations to become engaged in the life of the parish, not just given an overall directive from their catechists to “get involved”. Without your accompaniment, these neophytes are left to believe that they just “graduated” and may get confused about what exactly they should do next. Rather, they’ve just begun a new journey into a much more beautiful and joyful life. Won’t you seek them out and help them find that joy and beauty they need to help sustain their new-found faith through your friendship?

“My loving and all generous Lord, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit into our community and inspiring so many to desire to become brothers and sisters in Communion with You! Thank You for allowing me to be a part of their transformation as an OCIA catechist. Now, Lord, please place it on the hearts of their new communities to accompany them, and to help them continue to find and experience Your love in all aspects of their lives. Amen.”

(Mystogogy – It’s Not Just for Neophytes was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

My “Re-Birthday”

30 Monday Mar 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Sacraments

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Baptism, Birthday, Confirmation, Easter, Eucharist, Evangelization, Faith, Grace, Great Easter Vigil Mass, Holy Communion, Holy Week, Jesus, Love, Mercy, OCIA, Order of Christian Initiatio of Adults

Today is Monday of Holy Week, the most important week in the Christian calendar. As Director of Evangelization and responsible for our parish family’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) it is not only a holy week, but a busy and stressful one, as well. Our parish family is blessed to have 45 new adults and youths who will be receiving one or all of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist at the Great Easter Vigil Mass this Saturday night. The 28 weeks we’ve been preparing them has been a true joy. Now their preparation is over, and the preparation for orchestrating a beautiful, memorable, and flawless celebration is front and center.

As I began planning seating arrangements for Saturday night, I realized that today, March 30th, is the anniversary of my entrance into the Church. Thirteen years ago this date, Saturday, March 30th, I was sitting right where these Elect and Candidates will be sitting this Saturday night. My wife, children, parents, and many new friends were present to see me officially put an end to 56 years of secularism. I was filled with anticipation, but not sure what to expect.

During those years, I had not exactly been a golden boy. There were many actions on my part about which I was none too proud. As the priest poured the water over my head three times in the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I truly felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. The heavy burden of past sins I had come to regret were washed away by a stream of love. This, I thought, is what they mean by “mercy”.

Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation didn’t quite have the emotional impact as did my baptism. I understood the anointing was an invisible sign of the graces being received which I would need to fully live and proclaim my faith, but I didn’t yet know what that would look like or how it would manifest itself in me. Looking back, I hope I’ve done it justice by helping others draw closer to and follow Christ.

And then there was the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. I still don’t know how to adequately describe the feeling of receiving the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord that first time. The best expression would be to simply say that I felt totally loved. To know that two millennia ago, Jesus underwent His passion, death and resurrection out of love for my sake elicited a tremendous sense of gratitude; but the sudden realization that He had just sacrificed Himself again, and offered Himself to me so that I would have every grace I needed to live the life He would have me live, overwhelmed me with so much joy that I was brought to the point of tears. I still feel that way at every Mass.

Today, as I celebrate the thirteenth anniversary of my “Re-Birthday”, I have two desires: to do God’s will such that these 45 soon-to-be new or fully sacramentalized Catholics will also feel the love, joy, and peace that I felt when I was in their shoes just a few years ago; and that they will develop a loving relationship with Jesus such that they will want to share it with other people who need Him.

“My loving Jesus, thank You for the mercy and love You have shown me these 13 years since I came to know You. Thank You for the grace to do Your will in helping others come to know You, too. I pray for each of the adults and youths who will be entering the Church that they will stay true to their new faith, take seriously their obligation to live sacramentally, and to live Your commission to evangelize. Amen.”

(My “Re-Birthday” was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

08 Sunday Mar 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Evangelization

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Discipleship, Evangelization, Faith, Friendship, Grace, Jesus, Jn 4:16, Jn 4:4, Jn 4:5-42, Living Water, Love, Mercy, Missionary Discipleship, OCIA, Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, Spiritual Thirst

Christ and the Woman of Samaria, by Benedetto Luti, via Wikimedia Commons

It is Sunday, March 8th, the third Sunday of Lent and, for us catechists and Elect in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process, it marks the First Scrutiny leading up to the Elect’s baptism at the Great Easter Vigil. The Scrutinies (over three consecutive Sundays) consist of Scripture passages which help us to look inside and see the truth about ourselves, our predominant faults and habitual sins; and the divine love and mercy that God bestows on us when we repent and learn to trust in Him.

Today’s Gospel was Jn 4:5-42, Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well. In this passage there are numerous messages that help us see our brokenness, our need for spiritual fulfillment, and our futile efforts for finding happiness outside of a relationship with our Lord. But, thankfully, it shows us the joy we will find when we accept the “Living Water” that Christ offers to quench our spiritual thirst, replacing all the other things we’ve tried which failed to satiate us.

As I prepared to facilitate a discussion on this gospel, focusing on our sinfulness and the grace and mercy we receive from God in spite of that sinfulness, I couldn’t help but see a message about evangelization, as well.

In verse 4, the line before the selected passage, we read that Jesus, “had to pass through Samaria” on his way from Judea to Galilee. Jesus didn’t have to pass through Samaria, He could have crossed the Jordan and gone around Samaria like any other cautious Jew. Passing through Samaria was risky business since Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Thus, Jesus must have had a purpose in mind that was worth risking His and His disciples lives. That purpose must have been to encounter the woman at the well.

Jesus set an example for us – even in the face of fear, we should still evangelize and be intentional about it. It’s unlikely any of us are at risk of losing our life by proclaiming the gospel and bringing Jesus to those who don’t know Him. In Jesus’ case, He already knew the woman’s history, that she had failed to find happiness in her relationships, and that she was a pariah in her village. In spite of her sinfulness, Jesus met her where she was and spoke to her heart. We, unfortunately, don’t have that supernatural luxury. Instead, we have to explore and learn more about the people we encounter through intentional friendship so we can meet them where they are when we do present the gospel message to them. It can feel awkward at first, but, with practice, you get the hang of it. The perceived risk lies in our expectations of whether we will succeed or fail. But what matters is simply that we try.

Another verse in this passage, verse 16, plays to evangelization where Jesus tells the woman, “Go call your husband and come back”. When she responds that she does not have a husband, Jesus reveals that He knows she has been married five times and that the man she is presently living with is not her husband. The absence of judgment and condemnation from Jesus is seen by the woman as mercy, a loving acceptance of who she is, and the essence of an immediate conversion. The woman ran home and told her whole village about Jesus, instantly becoming a missionary disciple. When we encounter others, it is our hope that, by accepting and loving them for who they are, and sharing the gospel message that God is infinitely more gracious than our efforts could ever be, they will also become missionary disciples who will then lead others to Christ.

Tradition tells us that the name of the woman at the well is St. Photina. She and her sons were martyred for their faith during the persecutions of Nero. Her feast day is Friday, March 20th. St. Photina, pray for us as we evangelize!

“My loving Jesus, may I always come to You seeking spiritual fulfillment from the Living Water that You give, and that it will be a spring that wells up within me for eternal life. I pray for the grace to love and accept those I meet as true spiritual brothers and sisters and lead them to You so that their spiritual thirst may also be quenched. Amen.”

(Jesus and the Woman at the Wellwas first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Welcoming the Stranger

24 Tuesday Feb 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Evangelization

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Almsgiving, Charity, Faith, Fasting, Friendship, Invitation, Lent, Love, Mercy, Mt 25:31-46, Prayer, Sheep and the goats, Welcoming, Works of Mercy

(A reflection on Matthew 25:31-46)

In the gospel for today, Monday, February 23rd, Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus tells his disciples that when the Son of Man comes, He will separate the sheep from the goats; that the sheep are those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the ill, and visited the imprisoned, and the unfortunate goats are those who didn’t. It’s all about the charitable works of mercy.

With the Lenten season upon us we should be sincerely trying to live and grow in a deeper relationship with our Lord through focused prayer, fasting and almsgiving. However, our focus can easily become self-centered as we endeavor to stick with our plans to fast and improve our piety. But almsgiving, the charitable and outward looking aspect of the trio, can take a back seat. What can you do to avoid this?

Certainly you can increase your weekly contribution to the collection basket and let that serve the less fortunate in a variety of ways. You can easily feed the hungry by purchasing groceries and drop them off at your local food pantry, or invest a little more effort by serving at a food kitchen. You can clean out your closet and donate the seldom worn clothing to a charitable organization. You can care for the ill and imprisoned by visiting a nursing home. But, where will you fit welcoming the stranger into the mix this Lent?

Welcoming a stranger, someone you don’t know, is the first step in building a friendship. It helps the stranger feel comfortable in their new surroundings by removing some of the fear they may have built up inside them. And, In a very real sense, welcoming a stranger is the first step in evangelizing a stranger when the person being welcomed is a stranger to our faith even if we already know them. This could be someone who is un-churched, someone from another ecclesial community other than Catholicism, or even a lukewarm or fallen-away Catholic. The feeling of being welcomed and accepted by us for who they are as a wonderfully made child of God is necessary before any conversion will ever happen.

Fortunately most parishes have a plethora of opportunities during the Lenten season that can be avenues for evangelization through invitation, such as: Lenten missions, small group Bible studies, guest speakers, and no-pressure social functions. And don’t forget the friendly Friday fish fries and the all powerful Stations of the Cross! If you’re a self-starter and want to truly welcome strangers who are new to your parish, you can ask your parish office for their contact information so you can call them and arrange to meet for a cup of coffee at a local diner and offer to help them navigate their new parish surroundings. Or simply introduce yourself at Mass or an event to someone you’ve never met before. All of these are opportunities to evangelize by welcoming and inviting others to experience friendship and ultimately hear the gospel proclaimed.

So, who will you welcome and invite this Lent?

“Heavenly Father, this Lent I pray for the grace to grow closer to You by building self-control through fasting, by conversing with You more often in prayer, and in almsgiving by inviting others into a relationship with You, the best gift this side of heaven. Amen.”

(Welcoming the Stranger was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Take a Walk

13 Friday Feb 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Evangelization

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Charity, Evangelization, Faith, Fear, Friendship, Grace, Jesus, Love, Mark 7:31-37, Meeting others, Mercy, Proclaim the gospel, Relationships, Restraints, Walking

As Christians, we know we are supposed to follow and imitate Jesus by proclaiming the gospel message of salvation as He did. Yet, for so many of us, that is difficult to do. Why is that? It’s certainly not because someone else is restraining us. We don’t live in a country where it is illegal to live and talk about our faith. We’re not threatened with 20 years in prison because we’re Christian. We don’t live with the threat of having our village burned down because of what we believe. No, the difficulty lies completely within ourselves. Maybe it’s laziness, the busy-ness of life, letting other things become more important than God, fear, or simply a lukewarm faith. Whatever it is, it’s so familiar to us that we don’t even give it a second thought.

Today’s Gospel from Mark 7:31-37 is the story of Jesus healing a deaf man. What struck me about this passage was not the act of healing the man, nor that the witnesses defied Jesus and told others about it. Rather, it was the opening sentence, “Again he left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis.” Since I have a love for geography and maps, I checked to see how far it was that Jesus actually walked. It’s about 30 miles north from Tyre to Sidon, and then another 60 miles south to the district of the Decapolis on the south side of the Sea of Galilee. That’s 90 miles on foot through rough and rocky territory. Why did He make such an effort?

Jesus wasn’t just out for a stroll. He had a purpose to bring the message of salvation to not only the Jews but to the gentiles, as well. His method was to go out and build relationships with people, meeting them where they were in whatever physical, mental, emotional, or social state they were in. Let’s contrast His effort with how much effort we’re willing to expend. Most of us today live in some form of self-imposed isolation. It’s easier to not tidy up our home and stay hidden there than to invite another over for hospitality. Rather than get out of our vehicle to meet other parents while waiting in the school pickup line, it’s easier to stare at our screens. Rather than recognize the poor and needy, it’s easier to keep our heads down and walk fast around them. The list of lame reasons can go on forever.

God made us for each other. He comes to us through other people, our families, friends, and the strangers around us. Conversely, God reaches them through us, too. Behind our fast-paced and technological culture, our souls are screaming for the peace we get from a little silence and solitude, yet they still need to be nourished by healthy, interdependent relationships, both old and new.

We need to get off the couch or away from our desks, get off our screens, take a walk, and meet others who might just need to meet us. While we’re at it, we should think about the restraints we’re imposing on ourselves that keep us from following in the footsteps of our Lord. And then think about how we will explain this when it’s time for our particular judgment.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for the many gifts you bestow on me, especially the gift of faith. Thank You for my family and friends who sustain me and through whom I find joy. Help me, Lord, to grow that circle and be the friend who sustains someone else in need. Amen.”

(Take a Walk was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

Winter Respite

26 Monday Jan 2026

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Renewal

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Beauty, Charity, Community, Evangelization, Faith, Gratitude, Love, Nature, Prayer, Psalm 96, Respite, Snow, Thanksgiving, Winter

Wow! I knew it had been a while since I last posted, but four months and two days is longer than I’ve ever gone!. Let’s fix that.

It’s a laid back day, just right for a laid back reflection. Nothing too profound. Just something as relaxed as I am right now sitting by a cozy fire in the fireplace, staying warm on this frigid 8 deg. F (-13 deg. C) January day. We received 12 inches of snow yesterday here in southwest Ohio. The sun is getting low in the sky and everything is stunningly beautiful: clear blue sky and blueish-white shadows of the trees on a blanket of undisturbed pure white snow! It makes me wish I knew how to paint so I could capture this. But I know everything created by man pales in comparison to the breathtaking beauty God provides.

I have to admit, however, that yesterday, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, wasn’t too restful. It was overcast with no sunshine and, although the snow was beautiful, I couldn’t help but feel anxious about how much snow we would get, whether we could make it the eight miles to church for Mass, and how much work it would be today digging ourselves out. Now, looking back on yesterday’s fretting, I should have trusted in God’s providence and less on my inability to control things.

I’m one of those who many call strange as I’d rather a cold winter day than a scorching hot summer day. I sent photos of the sidewalks I shoveled today to my daughters and one of them suggested I get a snow plow for my lawn mower. I responded that I like to shovel snow. It’s good exercise if you don’t work too hard at it, gets you outside into fresh air, and makes you appreciate the beauty of it all that much more.

While outside, I kept an eye on our bird feeders to make sure they weren’t being depleted. Our feathered-friends – cardinals, finches, and titmice – have enjoyed a feeding frenzy. I feel sorry for the dark-eyed junkos, though, since they’re not perching birds but hang out on the ground hoping the other birds will drop them a morsel or two.

Due to the snow covered roads, our parish office was closed today so I didn’t have to go in to work this morning. It gave me more time to spend in mental prayer. Instead of feeling rushed as I often am, it was nice to have more time in conversation with our Lord. It struck me that God gives us days like this – unexpected reprieves from the daily grind – to slow down and reconnect with Him. It was upon reading the Scripture for the day, specifically the responsorial to Psalm 96, “Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations”, with a view of the snow covered ground outside the window in front of me, that prompted the nudge to finally write again.

As much as I love the beauty of a day like this, I know there are many others, especially those in Tennessee and Mississippi today, who are cursing what feels like misfortune for the heavy ice they received, as opposed to snow, that has caused severe tree damage and consequently wide-spread power outages. Shoveling snow today gave me an opportunity to pray for them, for their safety, and that they accept with grace and give thanks to God for their own chance to draw closer to Him. While many lives have been disrupted because of things outside of human control, He has created opportunities for people to love and be charitable to each other: offering shelter, cutting and removing trees in neighbor’s yards, assisting stranded motorists, and such. Having lived through hurricanes on the Gulf coast, I know communities grow stronger as a result of natural disasters.

Tomorrow I go back to work looking for ways to evangelize people and for ways to encourage people to evangelize. But, today has been a welcome day of respite even though I’ll be sore tomorrow because of the snow shoveling. I’ve overcome my writer’s block, and I’m thankful for that. But, right now, it’s time to add another log to the fire.

Peace and blessings to each of you.

“Almighty God, thank you for this day, for allowing me to be a part of it, for the grace to recognize your love in the beauty you create, and for the opportunity to draw closer to you. Amen.”

(Winter Respite was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

A Prayer for Continued Progress

04 Thursday Sep 2025

Posted by Jerry Robinson in Prayer

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Body of Christ, church, Colossians 1:9-14, Faith, Grace, Holiness, Meditation, Prayer, Resolution, Scripture

A reflection on Colossians 1:9-14

The first Scripture reading for today is from Colossians and, in my New American Bible, it’s labeled, “Prayer for Continued Progress”. In it, St. Paul affirms that he and Timothy continue to pray for the Church in Colossae for growth in holiness. My first thought as I read this was that it is a great prayer to say for the men to whom I serve as their Spiritual Mentor. And then I thought why limit it to just those ten men, why not pray it for all my friends and all the faithful in my parish? Then, why stop there, why not pray it for the entire body of Christ?

Thinking I had just determined what my resolution would be for today to do God’s will, I began to wrap up my prayer time. But then the thought came to me, what if someone else is praying this same prayer and it is me who is the object of their prayer? Am I doing all that they are desiring of me for growth in holiness? With that, I had to reopen my Bible and read the passage again from a personal point of view.

“Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding…” (v.9).

Do I know His will for me? Can I articulate it? Do I spend time daily in prayer discerning His will and resolving to do it that day?

“…to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing [to Him]…” (v.10a)

Do I live my life in a manner that is worthy of Jesus and in a way that pleases Him?

“…in every good work bearing fruit…” (v.10b)

Do my actions and the way I live my faith bear fruit for the Kingdom? Am I doing what I need to do to bring Jesus to others or bring others to Jesus?

“…and growing in the knowledge of God…” (v.10b)

Do I consistently make the effort to grow in understanding my faith and grow in my relationship with the Lord? Do I have a good grasp of our Catechism and knowledge of the saints?

“…strengthened with every power, in accord with His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy…” (v.11)

Do I receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist regularly so as to be strengthened to face the trials of day to day life, to be patient and humble when things don’t go my way, and yet find joy in not only the process but the outcome?

“…giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.” - (v.12)

Am I grateful for all that God has given me, even those things which I did not choose, didn’t like, and couldn’t change because He knew them to be in my best interest?

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” - (vv. 13-14)

Do I believe and accept that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was for my redemption, that He has forgiven my sins, and do I attempt to lead a sinless life but repent when I fall short?

Wow! That was an exercise I hadn’t planned on today! A line from a Jerry Jeff Walker song, “The hardest thing for a man to do is look inside and see the truth about himself” easily came to mind. Yeah, there are some things I do better than others, but I really need to work on a couple of these.

In reading this passage, what is God putting on your heart to ask yourself? What can you work on today to grow in holiness?

“Generous and loving God, thank You for letting me see how I can use Your Word in today’s Scripture for not only the benefit of others but my own as well. I pray for the grace to work and improve on the one or two that need prompt attention. Amen.”

(A Prayer for Continued Progress was first published on the blog Reflections of a Lay Catholic)

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