Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry
“Go into all the world and proclaim the
Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15
“Treat others the way you would have them treat you: this sums up the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 We’ve all been in traffic before. Perhaps you’ve gotten frustrated or angry. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to join in the road rage. But what would happen if we didn’t allow ourselves to join in…
“Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all his work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:2-3 Steven…
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.” Psalm 118:24 An older businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal village when a boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality…
For this week’s Practices for Pandemic, Fr. Michael leads Lectio Divina or Divine Reading of Mark 4:35-41 where Jesus wakes and calms the storm at sea. This audio meditation is inspired by Pope Francis’ 2020 Urbi et Orbi meditation, see below for a link to watch a recording of Pope Francis give this talk to…
Filmed among the blooming flowers and trees at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Fr. Michael offers a reflection on Psalm 8 and the beauty of God as found in the natural world around us. Scroll down to read Psalm 8. Psalm 8 O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! I…
“We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who have been called according to God’s decree.” Romans 8:28 A professor entered her classroom and asked her students to “prepare for a surprise exam.” After understandable moaning, the students readied their desks, waiting for the exam to be passed out.…
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in them will produce abundantly, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 A young woman took great pride in her gardens, having learned from her grandmother how to grow and care for all types of flowers. She was…
“For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks they are standing upright watch out lest they fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick told the story of a tree that used to stand tall on the slope of Longs Peak in Colorado. But today, little remains of the once proud tree that naturalists believe…
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations, among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.” 1 Chronicles 16:23 In a commencement address to the University of Texas, Admiral William H. McRaven, ninth commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, told the graduates about the grueling training…
“He said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for in weakness, power reaches perfection.’ And so I willingly boast of my weaknesses instead, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Years ago, a water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which…
For this week’s Practices for Pandemic, Fr. Michael recommends two videos on Thanksgiving and Praise. Watch his introduction video first, then watch the two videos he recommends to enliven a sense of thanksgiving and praise in your prayer life. In case you missed yesterday’s video homily or Friday’s Seeds of Joy story, scroll down for…
From the cross, Jesus told John, the beloved disciple, that Mary was now his mother. Fr. Michael offers an insight from the early Church that it wasn’t just John who was beloved, but each of us, so by extension Mary is our mother as well. John 2:1-11 There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,…
“Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny.” Isaiah 40:28 Did you know a pencil can offer lessons on living a successful life? Some days a pencil might…
“Peace is my farewell to you, my peace is my gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful.” John 14:27 One rainy Monday morning, a plumber was on his way to work when his truck got a flat tire. After…
“If any of you is without wisdom, ask for it from God who gives generously and ungrudgingly to all, and it will be given.” James 1:5 There is an old story of an elderly man sitting next to a younger man on a plane during a long flight. Growing bored, the younger man…
“… Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me. Do not hinder them. The kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 A middle grade class was asked to write down what they believed to be the “Seven Wonders of the World.” There was a lot of discussion among the…
Fr. Michael leads us in a meditative time of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Music provided by Michael John Poirier of www.prayerbreaks.org Here is the special prayer featured in today’s meditation: [download id=”17004″] Yesterday’s Video Homily – Stepping Stones to Jesus Friday’s Seeds of Joy story – Choices
Building on last week’s homily reflecting on turning 70 and 52 years of Jesuit ministry, Fr. Michael relates his own “Stepping Stone” moment where Jesus reached out and healed him. To read the prayer from Mother Teresa that Fr. Michael references, scroll down. A Last Prayer I worry some of you still have not really…
“My brothers and sisters, count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Remember that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance.” James 1:2-3 Michael was always a natural motivator. If someone was having a bad day, he’d be the one saying, “Look on the positive side.”…
“I came that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Laura Ingalls Wilder had a rough early life, moving from place to place. She became a teacher before she married. Later, she helped her husband on the farm. She lost a child and took care of her husband…