Scripture Scribbles: September 6, 2026
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
The underlying message is that love doesn’t simply stand by when someone is moving away from God.
This reminds me of a story I heard years ago that really struck me, and one I think of often when I feel inspired to share about my faith but am searching for the courage to do so. I have shared the story with my kids and I’d love to share it with you.
There’s a remarkable story about Penn Jillette, the famous magician and outspoken atheist from Penn & Teller. After one of their performances, a Christian man had the courage to approach Penn and give him a Bible. Penn later spoke about the encounter, and what he said is the part that has really stayed with me. He essentially said, if Christians really believe what they say they believe, about Heaven, Hell and eternal life, then keeping silent about it would be profoundly unloving.
This man cared enough about Penn that he risked being uncomfortable to let him know about the Truth. To me, that sounds incredibly courageous.
Scripture Scribbles: August 30, 2026
These are strong and challenging words. Taking up my cross and following Jesus means being betrayed, stripped, falsely condemned, tortured and killed…with love and mercy.
When I survey my heart’s response to these words from the Gospel, I feel the tightening of the armor that covers my most tender places. I am thinking not as God does, but as human beings do (“Protect yourself!”).
When I look back across the story that God is writing in my life, I can see that he is faithful in every place I have allowed him to be my protector, provider and healer.
But I also do not know how nor (in all honesty) do I have the courage to unfasten the armor in this particular place. I am white knuckling my shield. The vulnerability there is more than I can bear.
Putting down my shield and armor to pick up my cross would mean stepping into battle completely naked.
Scripture Scribbles: August 23, 2026
Life can be such a rollercoaster sometimes, can’t it?
Especially when we’re living through struggles, uncertainties, hardships, or crazy headlines it can seem like there is nothing that we can truly count on. No where we can go to truly find rest, solace, or peace.
Before my conversion, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by this. In a time of suffering, I didn’t know where to turn. Anxiety, panic, and despair would seep in, threatening to completely take over.
Scripture Scribbles: August 9, 2026
What is your unforgettable trust story?
Short story time. Without a word, without second thoughts or any hint of hesitation, I suddenly jumped from the high roof of the old chicken coop one night into the arms of my big brother cousin Karll, much to his surprise and amazement. Still, he caught me in mid-air and put me down to safety while sighing in relief. ..
Scripture Scribbles: August 2, 2026
"Five loaves and two fish are all we have" (Matthew 14:17).
Organizing a May Crowning for homeschooling families was something I considered far beyond my capabilities. Likewise, preparing second graders to receive their sacraments was well outside my comfort zone. Yet I remembered the saying, "God does not call the equipped; He equips the called." I brought Him my loaves and fishes - my love for Mary, my love for the Eucharist, and my love for Reconciliation - and He multiplied them, accomplishing far more than I could have imagined.
As time passed, the challenges became even greater.
Scripture Scribbles: July 26, 2026
'As I sat down to spend time with this Sunday’s readings, I hardly recognized myself. I couldn’t wait to read them.
Not just the Gospel, but all of them - the Old Testament, The Psalm, the Epistle, the Alleluia, and finally the Gospel. I want to drink it all in, to savor every word. That’s where I stop and think, who am I? Because a few years ago, I never would have imagined feeling this way. To my delight, this weeks readings are all familiar friends - some of my favorite passages in Scripture. It almost feels as though God knows exactly what would bring me joy. (Of course, He does.) So, how do I even begin to share what I find so beautiful?
Scripture Scribbles: July 19, 2026
'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Oh how gently the Lord receives these questions - both in our central parable today and in the hearts of those struggling with these questions now. He gives us Truth we can hold onto: he sows good seed. You and I are good seed. The presence of evil does not mean the sower is careless or inept. It means there is an enemy.
He answered, 'An enemy has done this.'
Scripture Scribbles: July 12, 2026
The truth is, roots take time.
They take time to grow, develop, expand. And there is just no rushing this process. There is simply no short cut you can take. In fact, if you try to hack a short cut, the roots will not grow as strong, resulting in fewer and less desirable flowers in the end. I’ve noticed throughout this process that this unavoidable truth drives me a little bit… crazy. I’ve been out checking on the flowers each week, monitoring their growth, trying to weed what I can, water when needed, but, ultimately, find myself with nothing to do but have to sit back and wait.
Scripture Scribbles: July 5, 2026
Of course we know what rest means. The word gives us comfort and makes us say it’s a long-waited, much-needed, well-deserved, hard-earned, or very anticipated respite. It is the break we take after working laboriously, diligently, patiently, continuously, tediously, and passionately. I could go on, but I feel like the meaning of rest has already been conveyed loudly and clearly.
What exactly do we do on our rest days? Do we really do nothing? I doubt this very much because I’m equally guilty of exploiting and abusing the word sometimes.
Instead of giving a thousand reasons as to why it is hard for us to do nothing on our rest days, we acknowledge that our reasons are valid. However, may also make it a point to really recharge. This one is easy and we have our ways to accomplish this. While we are at it, may we also enjoy. The fruits of our labor, we need to observe properly. Do we give ourselves a mental tap for jobs well done and for our wins, big or small? I hope so.
Scripture Scribbles: June 28, 2026
This past April, I attended a family gathering. I had not seen my brother in over thirty years, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with him.
“Are you happy, Karen?” he asked in a hopeful tone.
My brother was in an incredibly jovial mood, having recently purchased an oceanfront retirement home for his family on the east coast of Florida. I was genuinely happy for him and did not want to dampen his exuberance in any way. Had he asked me the question a few weeks before, my answer might have been a resounding yes.
Scripture Scribbles: June 21, 2026
If there isn’t a message jumping out at you from this Gospel, let me share the ones that are jumping out to me…I’ll give you a hint, one is echoed 3 different times:
“Fear no one”
“Do not be afraid”
“Do not be afraid”
Three different times, He repeats this message of not being afraid!!!
Do you think our Lord was trying to encourage his disciples here? Do you feel encouraged?
Scripture Scribbles: June 14, 2026
Isn’t it wild to ponder that the Lord invites us to do his work of love, mercy and healing with him?
The work, the harvest, we read about in today’s Gospel isn’t in the past.
We are called to minister to the troubled and abandoned today. For most of us, this will happen in the hidden love we live in daily life in our families and communities, in the way we are at peace despite challenging circumstances, in the way we are joyful as we work, in the way we are present to those God puts in our paths.
Scripture Scribbles: June 7, 2026
I stare at the little white hosts.
So small. So simple. So humble.
I watch as each one is gently placed into its destination.
Elderly, moms, dads, teenagers, pre-teens; young and old, unique backgrounds, individual styles, each with their own unique story, their own mix of struggles, hurts, challenges, joys, passions, interests, ideas, futures.
I watch as some seem incredibly humbled to approach, while others seem as if their mind is somewhere else. I watch as some handle it with tender, loving care and devotion, others seem to place it into their mouth without a second thought, or like an old habit.
At times I cringe, shifting in my seat, unable to stand how incredibly vulnerable it all is.
Scripture Scribbles: May 31, 2026 - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
God loves the world so much. It is the whole world. It is everyone. His message is inclusive, not exclusive. God loves not just the kind, the obedient, the pious, the humble, the faithful, and all the others possessing positive traits. God loves also the bad, the disobedient, the non-believers, the proud, the doubtful, and all the others possessing negative traits. What an all-encompassing and unconditional love. However, to gain an eternal life, the condition of God is that we believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son. This is just fair, isn’t it?
Scripture Scribbles: May 24, 2026 - Pentecost Sunday
As I waited for my brother in the confession line, soft background music began to play — The Summons (“Will You Come and Follow Me”). My mind drifted through the lyrics, each line echoing a call to radical discipleship:
“Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown?
Will you let my name be known?
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?”
Scripture Scribbles: May 17, 2026 - The Ascension of the Lord
There is so much packed into this short Gospel that I would love to highlight. So much! But I’m going to dive into that very last line.
“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Did you catch that?
“I am with you always”
Always!
Not sometimes, not occasionally, not when you were at Mass praying, or during adoration…. always!
Do you believe this? Do you live like this?
Scripture Scribbles: May 10, 2026
Today’s Gospel deeply resonates with so much of what he has walked me through this winter. In the darkest times, it has been simple obedience (“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.”) that has kept me anchored to who I know to be True.
Scripture Scribbles: May 3, 2026
Jesus tells us that He is the vine and His Father is the gardener. He identifies you and me as the branches. He tells us that, as only the gardener can, the Father cuts off what doesn’t belong and prunes the good so that it can be even more beautiful.
Scripture Scribbles: April 26, 2026
Amid all the chaos and strife in our world, do we still know who the true Shepherd is? The truth is, there are many deus falsus—false gods—in our midst today. Some, after tasting success, influence, or comfort, become deluded. They begin to think they can replace Jesus. They grow greedy and intoxicated by pride. Power and popularity cloud their judgment. Not everyone, certainly, but some who receive these gifts misuse them. How, then, do we recognize the warning signs?
Scripture Scribbles: April 19, 2026
The road to Emmaus is more than a journey on a dusty path; it is a pattern for our spiritual lives and for the Mass itself. On that road, Jesus “opened the Scriptures” for Cleopas and his companion, revealing God’s plan (Liturgy of the Word). Later, in the breaking of the bread, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him (Liturgy of the Eucharist). Dr. Scott Hahn highlights that this pattern,—hearing God’s Word and gathering to break bread—continues in every celebration of the Mass.