Embracing My Image of Jesus
Years ago on retreat, the director asked me what Jesus looked like to me. I thought about it a moment and then described the stereotypical Jesus—long hair, scruffy, sandals, robe. As I gave the...
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Answered Prayers
My brother came to stay with my family recently while he attended training in our city. While I was happy to welcome him, I worried about how we were going to survive three whole weeks under one roof....
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Lenten Meditation 4: God’s Vulnerability
In Jesus, God saves us by becoming so vulnerable that we are able to kill him in a vile and humiliating way. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus assure us that God’s offer of friendship will...
View ArticleRenewed at Easter
A few years ago on retreat, I mentioned to my director that I wanted to rekindle some of the fire that I associated with the faith of my youth. I had driven to a monastery out in the country, a couple...
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God’s Voice Was in a Phone Call
My grandfather used to call me his “little motor mouth” when I was a child. I think Jesus might call me that, too, even now. The problem is that when we spend so much time talking in any relationship,...
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Composition of Place on My Patio
As the weather improves and we bid farewell to what always feels like a long, cold winter, the backyard patio quickly becomes the most important “room” in our house. We all find ourselves drawn...
View ArticleWhy Bother Praying the Examen?
With so many forms of prayer out there, and so little time in this fast-paced world, why bother praying the Examen? At times, I end up viewing this prayer as yet another task in a long list of things I...
View ArticleDaring to Look Up
I recently took a ride on the High Roller, the observation/Ferris wheel in Las Vegas, which happens to be the highest in the world. The strange part of this is that I’m afraid of heights. My husband...
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Gratitude and Guilt
Gratitude is a key aspect of Ignatian spirituality, and even when I don’t have much time for prayer, I do try to take a few moments each day to thank God for the blessings of the day. The problem is...
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An Extraordinary Saintly Team
We know that St. Ignatius was inspired by the stories of the saints. We’ve heard stories of him lying in bed during his recovery, recognizing the glorious battles and victories of the saints reaching...
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Preparing Our Hearts in Advent
I take pride in being prepared for anything. Advent is a time of preparation, so it should come as no surprise that I have always rather liked Advent. As I sat at Mass listening to the homily for the...
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Finding Dory, Finding My Grandmother
The hype has started for the release of Disney-Pixar’s new movie, Finding Dory (the sequel to Finding Nemo), and it has me thinking of my grandmother. Yes, the movie is making me really miss my...
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Pilgrims in Paris and a Lesson for Lent
When my husband and I were vacationing in Paris, one of the things I had on my “must do” list was visiting the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where the incorrupt body of St. Catherine...
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In Danger of Losing Our Patience
It’s often at about this time of year that I decide that I’m done with winter, and I become rather impatient for spring to arrive. Enough with the cold, enough with the darker days, I’m ready for the...
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Just Show Up
I’ve met some of my closest friends when I was attending parties I really didn’t want to attend. I’ve had some of my most profound spiritual experiences at events other people absolutely insisted I...
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An Example of a Person for Others
My family and I recently drove back home to mourn the loss of a dear friend and to support his family through the loss. We went there hoping to be of some support to our friends, and in the end, I...
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The Symphony of Your Day
There are certain routine sounds in our lives that call us into action simply by reflex. The morning alarm clock jolts us out of bed and into our morning routine. The ring tone on our phone beckons us...
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Football and the Examen
I am a huge football fan. When my team is playing, I am dressed in team colors and cheering with great enthusiasm. I go to great lengths to catch the game when my team is playing. While I definitely...
View ArticleIgnatius’s Presupposition and Intent in a Social Media Comment
By Cara Callbeck The words stared back at me from my Facebook page, taunting me and complimenting me all at once. I had just returned from a road trip to a football game in my home town with some old...
View ArticleAdvent Light
By Cara Callbeck Bored one day in the school library many years ago, I picked up a biography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Through the pages, St. Thérèse introduced me to Jesus and this amazing life I...
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