Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, an Invitation to Suffer with Christ

The day after Christmas the Church gives us a graphic reminder that embracing and living the faith isn't just cuddling a baby, but requires walking in darkness and suffering. St. Stephen, the first martyr, was a deacon chosen to help with the distribution of food to widows and the poor. While exercising that duty he performed signs and wonders that amazed the community.

His actions inflamed the Jewish people who dragged him before the Sanhedrin accusing him falsely of blasphemy. How did he respond? He delivered a passionate review of God's covenant with His chosen people from the time of Abraham.

When You're in the Desert, What Do You Do?

"THE land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, 

and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily." Isaiah 35:1

What do you think of when you hear the word "desert?" What is its connotation for you? Dry, arid, hot, desolate, sandstorms, lonely, thirsty, wilderness....? Are there any positive associations when you think of the word?

The Bible is full of desert experiences, some good, some not so good. 

Having a Bad Day? Increase Your Prayer Time!

I took a pretty significant fall on Monday while I was weeding in my Mary garden. I'm still not sure how I did it. I was turning to put some clover in the bucket and lost my balance. I came down on my right arm scraping it up against the top of the wall. Then I hit my left leg on the wall as I went over and landed flat on my back on the brick pool deck. Quite a thud!