Posts by Ralph Patrick

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” “When you forgive some deeper, divine generosity takes you over.” John O’Donahue The word “love” does not appear in the Lord’s Prayer.  Have you ever noticed that?  Nowhere does Jesus, as He is teaching the model prayer, mention love.  That seemed highly unusual…

“I Am . . .The Potter.  You are the clay.”  Jeremiah 18:1-6 “In prayer we journey forward to our origin.  We close our eyes in prayer and open them to the pristine moment of creation.  We open our eyes to find God, His hands still smeared with clay, hovering over us, breathing into us His…

“Jesus, having loved His own, loved them to the end.”  John 13:1 “True prayer is nothing but love.”  St. Augustine “Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”  St. John Vianney “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is…

“A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the mansions of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10 What Saint’s Day is observed in Scotland, but in few other places in Christendom?  If you guessed “St. Columba”, you’re right! …

“There is something deeply sacred about every presence.”  John O’Donahue If you’ve been reading these blogs you know that John O’Donahue is one of my favorites.  I read something from him almost every morning.  This week I read something that was so moving that I felt the need to share it with you in its…

“Let it be done to me according to Thy Word”.  Mary, the Mother of our Lord “Lord, you know the hearts of all people, which one have you chosen?”  Acts 1 Today is Pentecost.  The observation and celebration of the outpouring of the Gift of the Holy Spirit on the Disciples in tongues as of…

“Real Presence is eternity become radiant.”  John O’Donahue “I go to prepare a place for you . . . I am with you always.”  Jesus the Christ From the time we depart from God we long to return.  Whether or not we acknowledge this longing, believe in it, act on it or pursue it is…

“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.  Continue in My love.” John 15:9 “Motherhood is a woman’s one chance to assist God with a miracle.”  Erma Bombeck In 1997 Mr. Rogers received a lifetime achievement Grammy award.  In his acceptance speech he thanked those who had loved him, and then he…

“In the morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t recognize him. . .and the disciple whom Jesus loved said, ‘It is the Lord”. John 21 Deus Absonditus. It’s a Latin term that means “The hidden God.”  It is a perfect description of who God is.  We tend to look for God in…

“Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; You hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me into Glory.” Psalm 73:23-24 “And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore I will most gladly glory in my infirmities,…