The Art of Sacrifice
To sacrifice is to make holy. Most of us are given enough suffering in this world that if we were to offer it fully and freely to the Lord, that would be enough. We need only to accept; well, the penances that life gives us. Any additional sacrifices — ones that we choose — should be chosen carefully, intentionally, after checking…
Third Sunday of Lent
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
Not Scandalized By You
Imagine if your group text with friends suddenly went public. Or if some of the dumb or embarrassing things you’ve said in the past were brought back to life. Most of us fear that kind of exposure because we know we’ve failed, and we’re not sure we’d be received well.
In this Sunday’s first reading, we hear about King David. For many people, the first thing that comes to mind is his failure with Bathsheba. Yet God looks deeper than David’s mistakes. He sees both the potential for sin and the potential for great love and He still chooses him.
That’s the good news for us. No matter what’s in our past or what we’re ashamed of, God looks into our hearts, sees everything, and still calls us. He is not scandalized by your heart.
Meekness: The Manger and the Storm
Have you ever felt frustrated when Jesus seems quiet while everything around you is falling apart? In this episode, the friars continue reflecting on “Blessed are the meek,” turning to two striking images: Jesus asleep in the manger and Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm. Both reveal a confidence rooted not in control, but in trust. Trust in the Father, trust in victory, even when chaos is loud, and fear feels close. They talk honestly about the frustration we feel when Jesus seems distant or inactive while we’re struggling. And they invite us to see that His silence isn’t absence, it’s the patience of love at work. Join us as we learn to trust Jesus in the storm and discover the peace that comes from knowing He is already with us.
Waiting Like Mary
Ever wonder where the Pope goes on vacation? Castel Gandolfo, a quiet, beautiful place where a statue of Our Lady points to her Immaculate Heart with the words cor meum vigilat: “My heart is ever vigilant” As we enter the First Sunday of Advent, the Gospel calls us to that same posture: be prepared. We don’t know the day or the hour, but Mary shows us the best way to wait. Her whole life was marked by trust. From Jesus’ childhood to His Passion, she remained vigilant, steady, and confident that the Father would take care of everything. This Advent, we’re invited to wait like Mary, with a heart that’s watchful, calm, and full of trust in our Father.
They Will See God
What if seeing God isn’t about trying harder, but desiring Him more simply? For this week the friars turn to the Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” In this episode, they explore what purity of heart really means, not moral perfection, but a heart that looks to Jesus without distraction, without divided desires, without constantly turning back toward the world. They talk about intimacy with God, the battle against distraction, how sin clouds our vision, and how purity isn’t about hating yourself but forgetting yourself so you can finally fix your gaze on the One who loves you. Through the lens of St. Francis, the saints, and our own daily struggles, this conversation invites us to reorient our hearts toward the Father and receive again the joy that comes from seeing Him clearly. Walk with us as we learn to desire what He desires and see God in a new and life-changing way.