Writing

Letting God’s Love Flow: Becoming Vessels of Christ’s Light

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 18:15-20

Dear Friends in Christ,

Let me begin with a story from not so long ago, yet one that shines as a living parable of the light and love of God. Saint Teresa of Calcutta—known to the world as Mother Teresa—walked the crowded, dusty streets of her city, gathering the dying, the abandoned, and the forgotten into her arms.

When others averted their eyes or crossed to the other side, she knelt down, touched the wounds of the suffering, and looked into their faces with a tenderness that could only have come from God. She saw, in each broken body and lost soul, the face of Jesus Himself. The love she poured out was not her own, but God’s love moving through her—her hands became His hands, her words became the whispers of Christ’s mercy, her heart beat with the steady, patient love of the Holy Spirit. The world saw her as extraordinary, but what she did was simple: she let God enter her heart, and in doing so, she let God’s love flow out to everyone she met.

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Totally Yours: What Totus Tuus Teaches Us About Evangelization

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Sponsored: This article is made possible by Totus Tuus Co., supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.

The Heart of Evangelization: Totally Yours

Evangelization can sound intimidating. We imagine missionaries in distant lands, theological debates, or complicated catechetical lessons. But at its core, evangelization simply means handing ourselves over to Christ so that He may work through us. In other words, we say to Him what Mary said at the Annunciation: “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

That spirit is beautifully summed up in two small Latin words that shaped the life and papacy of Saint John Paul II: Totus Tuus — Totally Yours.

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Unlocking the Kingdom: Sharing God’s Love, One Neighbor at a Time

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20

Dear Friends in Christ,

There’s a story about a woman named Maria who lived in a small town in Italy. Every morning, Maria would visit her elderly neighbor, Signora Rossi, bringing fresh bread and a warm smile. She didn’t have much—her own family struggled—but she always found a way to share what little she had. One day, a new family moved in next door. They barely spoke Italian and looked lost. Maria, with barely enough for herself, welcomed them, sharing food, kindness, and even helping the children learn the language. Over time, the new family found their footing. Years later, Signora Rossi passed away, and the new neighbors, now fluent and settled, became the ones who welcomed others in need. Because of Maria’s simple acts, a whole neighborhood became more welcoming. Her kindness was contagious—it changed lives.

The Question that Matters Most

Today’s Gospel, set in Caesarea Philippi, is one of those moments that echoes through the centuries. Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter, moved not by rumor or gossip, but by the revelation of the Father, answers: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” With this confession, Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven—an unimaginable trust and responsibility. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

What does it mean to be given the keys to the kingdom? Is it a power reserved only for Peter, or is it something that touches all of us? The answer is both. Peter’s unique role as the rock upon which Jesus builds His Church is foundational. But in a mystical, spiritual sense, every one of us receives a key—a way to open doors for others, to help them draw closer to Christ.

Jesus giving the keys to Peter
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Is Mary Foreshadowed in the Old Testament?

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By Edalat Hope from Virtue Books

Editor’s Note: Article originally published on December 29th, 2025.

If you’ve ever watched Dead Poets Society, you might notice something about that teacher.

He doesn’t dump all the information on the students at once.

Instead, he teaches them gradually, step by step. Only once they understand one concept does he move on to the next.

God teaches that way, too.

He doesn’t reveal the fullness of His plan all at once. That would be like teaching calculus to a five-year-old.

Instead, gradually, He builds truth upon truth to form spiritually mature people.

Even in the Old Testament, God uses this same method. He puts hints of who He really is and his future plans. When you realise this, it opens your eyes to an entirely new way of reading the Bible.

Many Jews didn’t fully understand Christ. But when they understood how verses from the Psalms, Law and Prophets quietly pointed to Jesus, then they converted.

The Apostles and Church Fathers understood this hidden thread that runs through scripture.

But Christ did not just appear on earth.

God’s plan to redeem humanity happened through Mary. It was through Mary that he chose to enter the world.

Mary’s life is inseparable from Christ’s mission. God’s perfect plan for redemption was that Mary, the sinless one, would bear the Redeemer.

What is less widely known, though, is that Mary herself is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. And it’s through a little something called typology.

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