Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry
“Go into all the world and proclaim the
Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15
Matthew 13:44-52 Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When…
Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the seeds; Fr. Michael expands on that parable encouraging each one of us to nourish what grows inside our self. Matthew 35:24-30 Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field.…
“But 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 Two men shared a hospital room. One man needed to sit up more frequently to help his…
We can’t; Jesus can. In the midst of a national reckoning on many fronts, Fr. Michael reminds us that rugged individualism makes for lousy religion. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, not the other way around. It is time to embrace that truth. Matthew 11:25-30 At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise…
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So, do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29–31 What do you think the world’s population is…
Having grown up during the Civil Rights era Fr. Michael reflects on his lived experience, the role faith played in the Civil Rights movement and the challenges that still exist for minority groups in our country today.
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 In 1919, a young newspaper reporter was fired by his editor because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” In January,…
Given during a Sparough Family Zoom Mass, Fr. Michael reflects on the almost 8 billion people in the world and the reality that God not only desires a personal relationship with each of us, but that He seeks us out and only wants the best for us. Truly Emmanuel, God is with us.
Given on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2020, Fr. Michael shares the miracle story of a piece of the Eucharist discarded at the back of a Church in Argentina that when dissolved in water turned into human heart tissue as determined by independent science labs. He also reminds us not to take the Eucharist for…
“If you want to avoid judgment, stop passing judgment. Your verdict on others will be the verdict passed on you. The measure with which you measure will be used to measure you. Why look at the speck in your brother’s or sister’s eye when you miss the plank in your own?” Matthew 7:1-3 In her…
This is part 2 of a talk given last November at the WSFI radio 5th annual Healing Conference held at Marytown, Fr. Michael explores what sets the saints apart from the rest of us and the areas of spiritual healing we need to embrace to be fully open to God’s grace.
“…O God, great and mighty, whose name is Lord of hosts, great in counsel, mighty in deed whose eyes are open to all the ways of humans…” Jeremiah 32:18-19 Just over thirty years ago, a young single mother struggled to make ends meet. On government aid, she and her young daughter were one step away…
This is part 1 of a talk given last November at the WSFI radio 5th annual Healing Conference held at Marytown, Fr. Michael explores what sets the saints apart from the rest of us and the areas of spiritual healing we need to embrace to be fully open to God’s grace.
“Therefore, comfort and upbuild one another, as indeed you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 We’ve all heard the expression “silly goose.” But did you ever realize that we humans can learn more than a few things from these so-called “bird brains.” Dr. Robert McNeish of Baltimore worked for many years as a science teacher and…
Recorded on Pentecost Sunday during a Zoom Mass at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Fr. Michael reminds us that in the midst of division, suspicion and fear, Jesus came to the disciples proclaiming, “Peace be with you.” He calmed their fears, and unified them through His breath of life.
For this week’s Practices for Pandemic, Fr. Michael reflects on Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit in light of the pandemic and the violence and tension throughout our country. He shares his poem, Receive the Holy Spirit and adapts the Divine Mercy meditation (from week 5) to the coming of the Holy Spirit.…
“They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Anthony de Mello, a Jesuit priest, spiritual teacher and writer, told the fable about an eagle that thought he was a chicken. When the…
“I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for you, so must your love be for each other.” John 13:34 There is a legend of how hedgehogs survived one of the coldest winters. In this prickly tale, we find wisdom about how we need to care for each…
“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…