Heart to Heart, A Catholic Media Ministry
“Go into all the world and proclaim the
Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15
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…
“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.…