Griffin

Sometimes someone says something to us about us that finds a firm place in our thinking.  It need not be something brilliant or even insightful, but when we hear it, we know that it is true and it sticks.  It becomes part of how we think about ourselves and how we give ourselves guidance and encouragement and energy.

Jesus’ questions to his disciples—“Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?”—offer a powerful framework for Christian education. Learning becomes more than acquiring knowledge: it becomes a journey toward understanding Christ more deeply and allowing that encounter to shape faith, choices, and daily life.

Peter’s walk on water reflects the Christian journey: courage begins by answering Jesus’ call, but fear takes over when our eyes shift from him to the storm. Discipleship requires boldness, trust, and a willingness to leave our comfort zones. Keeping Christ at the center opens new paths for mission and inspires others to step forward with faith.

Five major discourses of Jesus give form and substance to Matthews’s Gospel. The Parabolic Discourse found in chapter 13, is the third of these major teaching blocks. 

In Matthew’s Gospel, we find an image that carries a lot of weight—if I may be permitted a play on the image.  Jesus speaks about a “yoke.” 

The celebration of our country’s 250th Anniversary has been recognized in many ways during these days and will continue to be recognized in the coming ones. An awareness of God’s blessings upon us cannot be exaggerated and must be acknowledged with gratitude and resolution.

When I am on retreat, I realize how much I need it.  I played with the word itself to give insight to my “desert” experience.

Our faith contains three foundational truths that are beyond human understanding.  A first is the Incarnation, a second is the Eucharist, and a third is the Trinity. 

Sometimes the title of a book just sticks in your head—even if you do not remember the exact contents of the book.  For me, one of those texts was called “Prayer is a Hunger.”