At the end of every summer, Jesuits in the Midwest have to write a reflection letter to the delegate or director who oversees their formation. One way to look at this is as just another task to complete—another thing to write in the eleven year process of becoming a...
When I was on the thirty day retreat, I woke up to something that I had been implicitly denying: Jesus loves me. It may seem comical to sit in silence for thirty days and realize this piece of third grade theology. But I didn’t just know it, I felt the truth of it...
When something big happens, we’re often tempted to jump into action, but what we really need to do is stop and listen. Danny Gustafson, SJ, reflects on this lesson of the Transfiguration. Based on the readings for Sunday, March 13, 2022. Don’t just do something!...
Podcast episode: In this talk, David reflects on the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Jesus tells us that God the Father prunes the disciples who live as branches on the vine. He does this so that our discipleship is more effective. The pruning...
How do you respond when people ask, “how are you doing?” If you’re like me, you often offer some form of an empty answer, like, “I’m good, how are you?” But do you ever think to answer, “Oh, I’m experiencing some serious desolation lately”? Or, “I’m experiencing a lot...
Let’s face it, tears are powerful. When someone starts bawling in public, people will inevitably look down and shuffle their feet. As if by weeping, these individuals have somehow violated some unspoken social contract. To quote Elsa from Frozen, “Conceal! Don’t...
In March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, International Women’s Day, and Catholic Sisters Week. During this week, we commemorate those big and small contributions women religious make to our Church and world. By the example of their lives, Catholic Sisters...
I know God loves me. And I know this not in a merely abstract way. I know it in my heart, in my bones, through consistent experience. My memory witnesses to this truth in my own particular circumstances in innumerable ways. Lately, however, as I sit in the silence to...
I thought I knew what “Heart Beat” was about when I wrote it last summer. The truth is: I had no clue. This is an experience I have with most of my songs. As I craft the music and draft the lyrics, bits and pieces come together and a whole begins to emerge. I feel a...
Temptations are not always obvious. Sometimes we are tempted by what seems good. Tucker Redding, SJ, reflects on the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Based on the readings for Sunday, March 6, 2022. Where is our focus? Hi, my name is Tucker Redding and this is my...
