Category Archives: Tim’s Reflections

Journey thru John, Chapter 12: Maturing from Following into Service

Do you know what nard is?  I did not, so I looked it up.  It is a plant that is native to the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal, China, and India.  Its use as a perfume, a medicinal plant, and for religious ceremonies goes back well before the time of Jesus.  It was a valuable importContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 12: Maturing from Following into Service”

Mary and Zechariah: Saying “Yes” from a Position of Spiritual Poverty

I have recently spent considerable time in my prayer life and spiritual reading considering Mary’s “yes.”  But in order to begin writing what I expect will be multiple posts on this topic, I decided to go back to the initial source of the story, the Gospel of Luke, Chapter One.   The story of the AnnunciationContinue reading “Mary and Zechariah: Saying “Yes” from a Position of Spiritual Poverty”

Journey thru John, Chapter 11: Living in Jesus

We know that the events of the gospels took place a long time ago.  For us, they are part of a distant history.  Our scene is very different than the one Jesus occupied.  We have electricity and everything that comes with it.  He had only candles for light when the sun went down.  There wasContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 11: Living in Jesus”

Mary as “Holy Lady Poverty”

This reflection appears today in a special edition newsletter published by the Our Lady of Indiana region. We normally get together for “Unity Day” in early August for fellowship as an entire region. Because of the pandemic, the physical gathering was cancelled this year. Instead, we asked our scheduled speaker for a reflection on hisContinue reading “Mary as “Holy Lady Poverty””

Journey thru John, Chapter 10: Laying Down One’s Life

When Jesus uses parables to teach, He is inviting his listeners, then and now, to enter a scene.  The opportunity such a gospel passage presents becomes double layered.  You have the ability to first enter and watch Jesus teach, and then you have the ability to enter the parable as well, to also be presentContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 10: Laying Down One’s Life”

On Saying Yes, the Introduction

In mid-November 2019, I took a leave of absence from my regular job as a project manager for a large construction company.  This came at the end of a grueling two plus year assignment on a single project.  During those two years, I lost my 17-year-old son in a car accident and my 42-year-old sisterContinue reading “On Saying Yes, the Introduction”

Journey thru John, Chapter 9: On Being Blind

I am sure the pattern is consistent by now, but just in case, be aware for a moment how the reflection on each chapter begins with suggestions about how to immerse yourself in the scene.  Recall that this immersion is meant as an aid to your ability to pray over the material in the chapter.Continue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 9: On Being Blind”

Slideshow from The Shrine of Christ’s Passion

A few weeks ago, as the restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic were at their height, I was feeling the need to get out of the house. At the same time, I was also feeling the need to spend some quality time in solitude, contemplation and prayer. I went on line and checked out theContinue reading “Slideshow from The Shrine of Christ’s Passion”

Journey thru John, Chapter 8: Freedom and Love

This entire chapter is a direct continuation of the previous chapter.  It is the next day and Jesus is once again teaching in the temple courts.  Stay in the scene and watch the various exchanges between Jesus and the Jews.  Continue your process of discernment about the message Jesus is conveying.  If He is takingContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 8: Freedom and Love”