Author Archives: kmwanek

In today’s gospel, Jesus acknowledges God the Father.  In the passage, Jesus looks to heaven and says, “Father, the hour has come.  Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you” (John 17:1).  He is focused on glorifying the Father.  This is a great example for us.  We must seek God’s gloryContinue reading “Nothing Wasted”

Today’s Gospel passage from John is a good opportunity for us to reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Jesus tells His disciples that He will send the Advocate and talks about how He will “convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation” (John 16:8).  I think oneContinue reading “Led by the Spirit”

Earlier this year, I had been praying about whether or not to sign up as a Biking for Babies missionary.  It is a prolife organization that proclaims the dignity of human life and forms young adults into missionary disciples, while raising money and awareness for pregnancy resource centers.  After not signing up last year dueContinue reading “God Knows What He Is Doing”

In today’s (5/12) Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the gate for the sheep to enter through.  He is the gate through which eternal life will be found.  In one part of the passage, Jesus says, “he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.  But they will not followContinue reading “The Voice of the Shepherd”

In this past weekend’s Gospel, we heard another story of Jesus interacting with His disciples after the resurrection.  In the story, Jesus asks Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me” (John 21:16)?  And Jesus asks him this three times.  When reading this passage, we are reminded that Jesus is asking each ofContinue reading “The Question Jesus is Asking”

Over the weekend, while on a retreat, the director giving the talks made a statement that I’ve been thinking about since.  She shared that many people have reduced Christianity to “having good table manners and being nice and good.”  But Jesus was radical and He reminds us several times in scripture that we will beContinue reading “Hated by the World”

The Easter Vigil, on Holy Saturday, is my favorite mass of the year.  There is so much from the mass to think about and reflect on.  One of the main themes that resonates throughout the mass is light.  Once everyone heads back inside to the church after the blessing of the fire and lighting ofContinue reading “Bearing the Light of Christ”

As Catholics, we are in the most sacred and significant week of the year: Holy Week.  It is the week that changed the world.  And all these years later, the commemoration of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection is still changing the world.  Is it changing our world?  This week is different from the rest.  HowContinue reading “The Heart of Holy Week”

In today’s (Monday 4/7) Gospel, Jesus says, “‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12). Reading this passage and this line specifically had me reflecting on the suffering that we all face and the darkness that so often accompaniesContinue reading “The Value of Suffering”

In so many passages in scripture, we read about Jesus going up to the mountains to pray.  Sometimes, it was with His disciples, and oftentimes, it was by Himself.  Powerful spiritual moments often took place on the mountains.  From significant encounters with God to deeper prayer, and so much else, there were countless times whenContinue reading “Up in the Mountains”