In the summer of 2012, to meet the on-campus demands of my Master’s program, I spent more time away from home than I ever have – just shy of four weeks. It was a challenging experience to be away (and likely even more difficult for my wife, who was home with our three kids who […]
Unfolding Scripture – Week 22
This week, we’re going to conclude the period of the Divided Kingdom & read the entirety of the period of the Exile (which, to be fair, is only 8 chapters!) It’s not exactly a hopeful time in the life of Israel. We’ll read how in 722 BC, the Northern Kingdom is conquered by the Assyrians, […]
Unfolding Scripture – Week 21
The chapters we read this week present to us some significant moments in the prophetic ministry of both Elijah and Elisha. The readings for Monday open with two extraordinary stories from the life of Elijah: his takedown of the prophets of Baal, and then that beautiful sequence on the mountaintop where he hears the voice […]
Unfolding Scripture – Week 18
This week, we’re going to read about the high point and the low point of David’s reign over Israel. First, the high point. In 2 Samuel 7, God makes a covenant with David. After David asks to build God a temple, God responds by promising a descendent of King David would reign on the throne […]
Unfolding Scripture – Week 16
I think it would be fair to say that most of us deal with insecurity in at least to some degree. Insecurities often crop up in our teenage years as we go through all the changes that take us from childhood to adulthood – often at a different pace than our closest friends experience it. […]
“Respond to God’s Word with Love”
The following is the homily Deacon Pat Hessel has shared with staff from various schools in Spruce Grove & Stony Plain (part of Evergreen Catholic where I work), as we prepare to launch into the 2020-21 school year: I’m an epidemiologist. Among other things, epidemiologists investigate epidemics. An epidemic is an increase in the occurrence […]