Have you ever felt like your prayers go unanswered? Or wondered if there’s a more profound way to connect with God in your daily life? If so, you're not alone. Jesus invites us to "ask, seek, and knock." Today's post offers incredible reassurance that the key is in being childlike and trusting God who is our Father.

In a world grappling with uncertainty and searching for deeper meaning, the unwavering devotion of Mary Magdalene offers a powerful example. Her encounter with the risen Christ transformed her and set her on a mission. Today is her feast day.

Are we eager to be with Jesus?

I continue these reflections on the liturgy and our Sunday Experience. This series is Mass Communication. Today, we reflect on the Eucharistic Praer.

This past week, we made a trip up to the Pacific Northwest. It was refreshing to come back to this part of the world with my family. There was cause for remembrance and thanksgiving for all that God has given. On the first day, we stopped by the Catholic cemetery to pay my respects to Archbishop Vlazny. His kindness has been etched in my memory.

The Good Samaritan, a vocation for all.

The feast of Saint Benedict is tomorrow. I offer these thoughts as I travel with my family to my monastic community this week.

The great feast of Saint Benedict is approaching. It is celebrated on July 11. I offer these thoughts on the values of monastic life.

No matter our state in life, we are called to reap the harvest. If this reflection on Sunday's Gospel is meaningful, please pass it on and invite others to subscribe to this community of readers!

Gazes and gestures invite the viewer to deep conversation. Benvenuto Tisi, also known as Garofalo, most likely painted this small work for private devotion. Central to the image is the Virgin Mary in all her regal beauty, adorned with light. The lively Christ child plays with the keys which he will later give to Peter. His energetic pose is contrasting to Mary whose eyes look on him with love as she sits on the royal throne.

Today is the feast of the Sacred Heart. Pope Francis said, "The heart of Christ, as the symbol of the deepest and most personal source of his love for us, is the very core of the initial preaching of the Gospel. It stands at the origin of our faith, as the wellspring that refreshes and enlivens our Christian beliefs." Here is a post on my grandmother and how she reminded me of the Sacred Heart.

Professor Michael Himes gives an excellent quote on understanding the Eucharist. He says, "The Eucharist makes us who we are and reveals to us where we are going." An excellent quote to consider as we explore Corpus Christi. Check out this post and READ or LISTEN to these shared thoughts. If the content strikes you, share this post with a friend and invite them to subscribe.

Mass Communication is an exclusive series that digs around liturgical ideas and how we experience worship around the Eucharistic table. Today's thought focuses on the Preparation of the Gifts.

"To live till we die— being willing to go on learning all the way to the end— takes a great deal of emotional balance. To be amenable, to continue working through all the dimensions of life till we see their value for us is the essence of spiritual maturity." Benedictine master, Sister Joan Chittister, strikes my heart with her quote. I use this post to tease out its meaning on this special anniversary. Enjoy this post as you LISTEN or READ and remember to share with a friend!

Understanding God is a lifelong journey. Today is Trinity Sunday. How do we understand Trinity? It is hard to put into words. Yet, I invite you to follow my thoughts as I share this post which hopes to give us some idea of a loving God closer to us that we know. Remember to share with a friend and subscribe.

Each month, I reflect on a small portion of the Rule of Saint Benedict. While it is called a Rule, I consider a vision! Saint Benedict lays out a vision for the Christian life. May his thoughts shape our hearts in following Jesus. Remember to share this post with a friend and invite them to subscribe!

Today is Pentecost. Today, we contemplate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem taught, "The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well." I share thoughts on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church. It is the grand finale of Easter. Please share this post!

A photo of some of the students whom I have accompanied this year. This post is on the art of saying goodbye and its relevance in the Ascension. I am trying something new! I am providing an audio recording of my blogs, located at the top of each blog. Now you have the option to read my thoughts or hear me read these same thoughts as you go for your walks. Enjoy!

A tribute to a man etched in my memory. I am beginning a new way of engaging with the text. You can hit play at the beginning of the blog and I will read the passage for you. In this way, you can take Enlarge My Heart with you for your walks or as you sit outside contemplating God's goodness.

Each month, I explore an aspect of our liturgy experience. This series is called Mass Communication. Today, I look at Gospel, homily, creed, and Universal Prayers.

An out-of-sequence reading during the Easter Season. Why do we look back to John's Last Supper account? I am offering a new feature! Not only can you read this post, you can listen to it. Go on your walk and hear these thoughts! I hope this makes my post more accessible to a wider audience!

This Sunday Pope Leo XIV will inaugurate the Petrine Ministry in a liturgy held in Saint Peter's Square. Here is a post that helps prepare us for this monumental occasion.

Here is a monthly reflection on the Rule of Saint Benedict. Today's thought are on the four kind of monks.

Remember the childhood game, "Simon Says." Do we follow Jesus the same way? Reflections on today's Gospel.

As the Church enters this new phase on our earthly pilgrimage, here's a post on keys and communion.