Even parish priests know the Saturday scramble—sermons, stoles, microphones, and the occasional missing stapler! Beneath the humour, though, lies a deeper truth: God does some of God’s best work in quiet preparation. This light-hearted reflection explores how getting ready for Sunday can also be an invitation to prepare our hearts to receive the grace that has already gone ahead of us.
Tag Archives: Hope
The Gospel According to the Alarm Clock
There are certain sounds in life that inspire immediate joy. The laughter of a child. The call of a loon across a northern lake. The sound of a barbecue being opened on a summer evening. And then there is the alarm clock on a Monday morning. The alarm clock occupies a somewhat different category. Now,Continue reading “The Gospel According to the Alarm Clock”
The Theology of the Half-Finished Prayer List
God meets us in the middle of real life.
In the half-finished prayer list. In the distracted morning prayer. In the exhausted evening sigh that barely forms words but still somehow reaches heaven.
The Entirely Reasonable Plan to Change the World by Tuesday
You may find that you are part of something far larger than you imagined.
Something that is, in fact, changing the world.
When God Interrupts Your Plans (Politely, But Firmly)
Mary’s plans for the future seemed clear enough—until God intervened with an unexpected invitation. The Feast of the Annunciation reminds us that grace often arrives unannounced, gently but decisively redirecting our lives. This reflection explores the courage to say yes when God’s purposes interrupt our carefully arranged plans.
When the Fragrance Fills the House
A single act of love can change the atmosphere of an entire room. As Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfume, the fragrance fills the house and becomes a powerful witness to devotion, gratitude, and grace. This reflection explores the lingering influence of faithful acts and the ways love offered generously continues to bless far beyond the moment itself.
When the Grave Clothes Come Off (Slowly)
The raising of Lazarus is often remembered as a dramatic miracle, yet the story does not end when he walks out of the tomb. The grave clothes still need to be removed. This reflection explores the patient work of new life, reminding us that God’s gift of resurrection often unfolds gradually as we learn to leave behind what once held us captive.
When the Stone Is Still in the Way
Some stones are easier to move than others. As the story of Lazarus unfolds, the obstacle remains firmly in place and hope seems difficult to imagine. This reflection explores those moments when barriers still stand before us, inviting us to trust that God’s power is often at work long before the stone begins to move.
When You Discover Grace Has a Long Memory
We are often quick to remember our mistakes, failures, and missed opportunities. Grace, however, remembers something different. This reflection explores the remarkable faithfulness of God, whose memory is longer than our regrets and whose love continues to call us forward even when we are tempted to remain defined by the past.
When Mercy Costs More Than We Expected
Mercy is a beautiful idea until we are asked to practice it ourselves. Then we discover that forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation often carry a cost. This reflection explores the challenging grace of mercy and the example of Christ, whose love demonstrates that what costs us something may also become the path to deeper freedom and healing.