LOOKING UP

I realized that the greatest risk in life is possibly not taking any risks.

COMPANIONS OF JESUS

Though I came to realize prayers are not answered with a single, dramatic event but through a gradual, sidewinding process.

DEEPLY IN LOVE

How will falling deeply in love with Jesus who is deeply in love with us decide what we do?

MUTUAL FRIENDS

“Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.  Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." – Lk. 24:39

HUNTING THE GOD STUFF

It is an Ignatian practice to “find God in all things”. Could this be made easier by finding “good in all things?” Perhaps then, where there is good, there you will find God.

SEEING JESUS THROUGH THE EYES OF MARY MAGDALENE

Let us borrow the eyes of Mary Magdalene so we can love Jesus and be joyous that our dear friend and savior has risen.

ON THE WAY

As I walk in faith and trust, the path reveals itself beneath my feet.

FAITH IN THE RESURRECTION, OUR SUPERPOWER

Our superpower comes from trusting in God who redeems more than rescues. Our stories will end well because they're part of God’s bigger picture.

SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE PRESENT MOMENT

Where is God revealing Himself in the here and now?

LOOK UPON HIM

What if I imagined Jesus looking at me, addressing me by name, saying: “Jen, take them out. Take out my nails.”

BEYOND CLOSED DOORS

“Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” – Jn. 20:29

What prevents me from moving beyond closed doors?

ONCE MORE

“I shall not die, but live.” – Ps. 118:17

The tomb is a special, intimate place of both death and resurrection. 

A HEART OF HOSPITALITY

“Come, have breakfast.” – Jn. 21:12

Jesus receives me with warmth and delights in spending time together. 

TO KNOW AND BE KNOWN INTIMATELY

“Then he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?’” – Lk. 24:38

To know and be known; this is a very essential part of divine love. 

STAY ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

“Were not our hearts burning within us?” – Lk. 24:32

The resurrected Christ is to be met on the road to Emmaus.

APOSTLE OF THE APOSTLES

“Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord,’ and then reported what he had told her.”  Jn. 20:11-18

God chose Mary Magdalene to be the first evangelist of our faith. 

ON THIS PATH WE ARE WALKING, PLEASE COME MEET US

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.” – Mt. 28:8-9

Jesus, allow our encounter with you to break open this new season.

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA

“And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.” – Mt. 28:9

A silent alleluia visited me, just enough to shift me into gratitude.

ARE WE THERE YET?

Today is the day of no Eucharist, the day of entombment, the day of only death. 

What if today I let that hurt speak a little louder, a little longer, rather than rushing myself along to the Resurrection?

I TOO, THIRST

“Jesus said, ‘I thirst.’” Jn. 19:28

How can I respond to this love that I am experiencing?

LOVE FALLING ON MY FEET

“[He] began to wash the disciples' feet…” – Jn. 13:5

Thank you, Jesus, for your humble gesture.

LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY...

“The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced...” – Is. 50:7

Help me enter, more fully, your communion of love, with hands and hearts wide open to receive your love as well as others'.

ABIDING LOVE

Jesus loves me even when I betray him.

PROMISES OF LIFE

“The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” – Jn. 12:3

How can I taste, smell, and feel the presence of Christ today?

A DRAMATIC INVITATION

I struggle to celebrate Palm Sunday and enter Holy Week. My head want to declare ... my heart resists ...

SWAN SONG

“I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them.” –Ez. 37:26

“What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” – Jn. 11:56

Jesus receives me as I am... 

REMINDERS OF LOVE

“I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!’” – Jer. 20:10

I am invited to listen to a gentler voice that says I am loved.

GOD’S UNWAVERING PRESENCE

"I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendant after you." – Gn. 17:7

God's words are his vows, made lovingly while he beholds his beloved creations.

SLAVERY AND FREEDOM

“I give you my assurance, everyone who lives in sin is the slave of sin.” – Jn. 8:34

If you live according to my teaching, you are truly my disciples; there you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

WAITING IN TRUST

"The people complained against God and Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water?’" – Nm. 21:5

We are invited to let go and wait in trust in God's promise to a greater life.

LOVE AND MERCY

"Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore." Jn. 8:1-11

Lent is a time when we can sit in awe of God’s love and mercy.

BRAVING YES

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – Jn. 11:25-26

Sometimes what looks like the end might just be the beginning.

AN APRIL FOOL

“Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter, had not realized that they were hatching plots against me.”  - Jer. 11:19

Regardless of the foolish choices I make, God is always with me.

THE BROKENHEARTED

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” – Ps. 34:19

Even in the deepest darkness, God is still present.

MAKING IT REAL

“[John the Baptist] was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s.” Jn. 5:35-36

Sharing our love and joy makes our faith real.

OUR SECURITY IS ROOTED IN GOD’S LOVE

"But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." – Is. 49:14-15

Lent is an invitation for a more whole-hearted “yes”.

DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED?

“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be well?’” – Jn. 5:6

Yes, I want to be healed; we all do. But how much do I want it? How attached am I to my illness? 

CREATED TO BE A JOY

“For I created Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight; I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people.” – Is. 65:18-19

How might you practice Joy this Lenten season?

DO YOU BELIEVE?

 “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” – Jn 9:35

For much of my life, I’ve struggled with being not _______ enough ...

TRUSTING THE UNEXPECTED PRESENT

"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.'" – Heb. 10:5-7

God does something in my heart that opens me up. 

UNFOLD MY HEART

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Mk. 12:30-31

As Lent unfolds, unfold my very heart so that it may grow.

GOING DEEP

"Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.” – Lk. 11:17

We don’t tread at the superficial level. We go deep. 

UNIMPRESSIVE THEATRICS

"Take care… not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children." – Deut. 4:9

All You ask is that I be myself with You.

LESSONS OF FORGIVENESS

“His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity of your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’” –Mt. 18:32-33

It is only through forgiveness that I can love truly and fully.

THE MUST OF ME

“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” –Lk. 2:49b

"Must" is the defining aspect of who I am created to be. What business of God is my "must"? 

SATISFYING OUR LIVING WATER

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." – Jn. 4: 13-14

We thirst for meaning in our lives, knowing we are loved, a supportive and encouraging community, and companionship to satisfy our living water. 

GOD LOVES WHAT IS IRRITATING

“You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you ...” – Mt. 5:43-45

Love is a choice to reach beyond ourselves to nurture the spiritual growth of ourselves or another.

STEP BY STEP

“Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?” – Ez 18:23b

God rejoices when I take steps towards Him...

RECEIVING BY PRAYER

“Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you…” – Mt. 7, 11

Our praying is already God answering within us and through us.

GOD WANTS TO FORGIVE AND HEAL

Jesus preached to the people, asking them to repent, just as the Ninevites had done, saying, "They turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach." – Lk. 11:32

God wants to forgive, heal, restore, show us endless mercy, and see us come home. 

WHY SHOULD I PRAY?

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” – Mt. 6:8

Prayer is a gift that draws me into an intimate relationship allowing me to discern the desires God puts in my heart.

MY INHERITANCE

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” – Matt 25:34

The news is filled with so many calls to action right now ... Do I try to feed ALL the hungry...?

LOOKING WITH LOVE

Jesus answered, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance." - Lk 5:31-32

I am amazed at the way you look at Matthew, calmly, peacefully, mercifully. Your look changed his life.

THE LONGING OF GOD

“This is the fasting that I wish: sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them.” - Is 58:6-7

Too often we begin Lent with secondary longings. We long for our peace, forgiveness, healing … But are they primary?

LENT: A LINGERING SHADOW

“Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you.” – Deut. 30:19-20

Sometimes Lent sneaks up on us. Other times, the dying with Christ has been lurking behind us like a lingering shadow ...

A LENTEN PILGRIMAGE PRAYER

Jesus: today, Lent begins. I want to follow you, to become a pilgrim, to travel to another place, existentially and geographically, and learn to trust you more radically along the way.