Today's Gospel

The Power of Small Prayers

Welcome back to Radical and Relevant. Today's reading is from the Gospel of John, 20:24-29. Now, Thomas, one of the 12 called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came and stood among them. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe." Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your fingers here and see my hands and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not be faithless, but believe." And Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God." And Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Is there a word or a phrase or an idea that jumps out at you? A phrase that jumps out at me is Thomas's reply, "My Lord and my God."

I don't know who taught me this, but when I was a child, below the tabernacle in the parish we went to our whole lives, was engraved in the stone, this phrase, "My Lord and my God." And somewhere along the way, as a child, I was taught to say this phrase prayerfully when I genuflected. So when I went into church, genuflected. When I was leaving church, genuflected, crossing the church, every single time was taught to say this–more than say this phrase, to pray this phrase, my Lord and my God, to recognize that the true presence, that God was present in the tabernacle, in the Eucharist. And so, it's impossible for me to read this reading, hear this reading, and not think of that. It's a very powerful lesson in my life. And it indicates how powerful small things can be. I know so many parents and grandparents who struggle and even suffer because their children or their grandchildren don't go to church, or they don't know how to teach their children or their grandchildren about the faith. And that can be overwhelming, right? Okay, how do I teach someone about the faith? That's overwhelming, but to be mindful that these little things. You can teach your grandchildren these little things can have an enormous impact on their lives, so don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do. Look for these small ways to increase your faith and to share the faith with other people. Have an amazing day and remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.

The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality has just been released. I want to read you just the first line. What if everything the Catholic Church teaches is true? This is the one question most people never consider when it comes to the Catholic faith. The Seven Pillars transformed my life when I was a teenager. I was 15 years old. A spiritual mentor entered my life and taught me about the Seven Pillars, challenged me to ingrain them into my life as habits, and I would not be sitting here today if it were not The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality. They are ancient habits that are ever new, that are ever relevant, that are ever willing to transform our lives if we're willing to embrace them. Question is, are we willing to embrace them? And that's my challenge for you today. Wherever you are in your journey, maybe you've practiced the Seven Pillars for a long time. Discover them anew. Enter into them at a new level, at a new depth with new commitment.

Have a great day. Enjoy the Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality. And remember, Be Bold, Be Catholic.