Has Jesus ever become personal to you?

Not merely an historical figure.

Not simply the Son of God whom you profess in the Creed.

Not just someone you’ve learned about since childhood.

But someone you actually know.

Two very different people come to Jesus with the same thing: faith.

There is a tremendous difference between being knowledgeable and being teachable. A person can know a great deal about God. They can study Scripture, theology, Church history, and Catholic doctrine. They can explain the faith beautifully. And yet, somehow, never allow God to change their heart.

Today our nation marks an extraordinary milestone. Two hundred and fifty years ago, a declaration was signed that gave birth to what would become the United States of America.

Thomas begins with a conditional faith: “Unless I see… I will not believe,” yet he ends with one of the strongest confessions in the whole Gospel: “My Lord and my God.”

Jesus looks deeper and begins where no one expects: "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." 

Where are the “tombs” in my life or community, places of hurt, shame, or exclusion that everyone prefers to ignore?

There were seasons in my life when Catholicism felt more like obligation than relationship.

Peter and Paul are like two pillars holding up one Church: one representing unity of faith and leadership, the other representing mission to all peoples.

Before we can know how to live, we must know to whom we belong. From Surrender to hospitality