Jeanie Hannaman

By Msgr. Charles Pope - Jesus Christ is King of Thieves, though He never stole. He is savior of sinners, though He never sinned… Today’s Gospel chosen presents Jesus as reigning from the cross. Nothing could be more paradoxical. Let’s look at it from four perspectives: Vision –Today’s Gospel presents a vision or image of the Church. We like to think of more pleasant images: the Church is the Bride of Christ or the Body of Christ. Today’s image is more humbling to be sure: the Church is Christ, crucified between two thieves… Yes, this is the Church too. In a way, we are all thieves.

By Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension Presents - Last week Fr. Mike Schmitz talked about why prayer is so hard in his Battle of Prayer video, and this week he talks about what to do when you experience dryness in prayer. He says being distracted or discouraged in prayer is like losing control of a car on ice. When dryness or distraction in prayer occurs, don’t overcompensate. Gently bring yourself back to focus. St. Theresa of Avila would always bring a book with her into prayer so she had some kind of springboard to converse with God. If this doesn’t help and dryness persists, then you persist.