Jesus Christ

United in the Spirit: Living the Love of God from Heart to Heart

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Reflection on the Gospel of John 14:15-21

Dear Friends in Christ,

There’s a story from the streets of Calcutta that I think about often. It’s the story of a woman so small in stature you could miss her in a crowd, but whose spirit somehow filled entire cities. Mother Teresa, now Saint Teresa of Calcutta, walked into the slums with little more than her faith and the conviction that the Holy Spirit was alive within her.

She once wrote, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Through her, God’s love was not just spoken, but lived—heart to heart, hand to hand, life to life. Mother Teresa allowed the Spirit of God to flow through her, reaching the most forgotten souls and building up, out of dust and poverty, the Kingdom of God.

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Led by the Shepherd: Finding Abundant Life and Bringing Others Home

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of John 10:1-10

Dear friends in Christ,

There was a man named John who, for much of his life, felt lost. He grew up in a small town, knew the routines of daily life, but a shadow seemed always to hover at the edge of his spirit. John tried to fill the emptiness with work, with distractions, even with the approval of others. None of it lasted. He wandered, like a sheep without a shepherd, never feeling truly at home, never truly at peace. One day, in a moment of quiet desperation, John found himself sitting alone in a church, staring at the crucifix. He whispered a prayer he wasn’t sure he believed: “Jesus, if you’re real, help me.”

Something shifted. Over the next days, John felt drawn back to the church, to Scripture, and to prayer. He met a priest who listened, who encouraged him to read the Gospels, to come to Mass, to let Jesus lead him. John gradually realized that Jesus was not a distant figure, but a Shepherd who knew him by name, who had been calling him all along. As John learned to trust Jesus and follow Him, his life changed. He found hope where before there was only emptiness. And, slowly, almost without realizing it, he began reaching out to others who felt lost as he once did. He listened, he prayed with them, he invited them to experience the same peace he’d found. John became a shepherd of souls, leading others to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Good Shepherd
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Jesus, I Trust in You: Living Divine Mercy Every Day

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

A reflection on the Gospel of John 20:19-31

Dear friends in Christ,

There once was a man named David. For over twenty years, he had built a solid career—an expert in his field, respected, reliable, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. But then, without warning, he was let go. At first, David was sure another job would come quickly; after all, he had experience and skills. But weeks turned to months, and door after door closed in his face.

In that long season of waiting, as uncertainty crept in, David’s wife Anne was diagnosed with a serious illness. Suddenly, the reason for his unemployment became clear. God had placed him at home for this very moment—to care for Anne, to be her rock, to offer comfort only a loving husband could give. David surrendered his anxiety and whispered, “Jesus, I trust in You.” In time, Anne’s health improved, and David was led to a new job, one that allowed him to help not only his family, but others in need, too. Looking back, he saw God’s hand guiding him, every step of the way, through disappointment to hope.

From Fear and Doubt to Faith and Trust: The Journey of Thomas and the Disciples

This story, friends, is not so different from the journey of the disciples in our Gospel today. They are locked away in fear, their lives turned upside down by loss and bewilderment. Jesus, the one they trusted, had died. Their hopes seemed finished. Yet into that locked room, Jesus appears, speaking words that must have sounded almost impossible: “Peace be with you.” He shows them His wounds—the marks of His suffering and love—and the disciples rejoice. But Thomas isn’t there. When the others tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas cannot bring himself to believe. Maybe he’s protecting himself from more heartbreak. Maybe he’s just being honest about his doubts.

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Do Not Be Afraid: Living the Hope and Glory of the Resurrection

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Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck

Easter Sunday Homily Reflection — Matthew 28:1-10

My friends, let me begin with a story from right here, in our own time.

A few years ago, a man in his fifties named Davide faced the most difficult season of his life. He had lost his job over a year ago and, try as he might, he had a very difficult time getting hired; no one seemed to want him—maybe because he was close to retirement? Who knew. On top of that, his beloved wife, Anita, had fallen seriously ill from a relentless illness.

The doctors’ news was never what they hoped for, and each day seemed to bring new worries. Fear crept in during the quiet hours—fear for their future, fear for Anita’s health, fear that life’s best days had already passed. Davide, who had always been the steady one in his family, now felt anything but steady. Yet, each morning, he found himself waking early, sitting by Anita’s bedside in the dim morning light, quietly praying for strength, for healing, for hope.

One morning, after an especially tough night filled with worry, Davide noticed their neighbor, Mrs. Carter, struggling to put out her trash bins. Despite his exhaustion and the heavy weight of his own fears, he went out to help her. As they talked, Davide learned that Mrs. Carter was afraid too—her husband had died the year before, and loneliness had become a shadow over her days. Over the next weeks, Davide made it a habit to check on Mrs. Carter, sharing small acts of kindness, a warm meal, a listening ear. With each visit, Davide felt his own fears ease just a little. He began to see that he wasn’t alone—everyone carried fears, and everyone needed hope.

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Easter Sunday: The Joyful Center of Our Faith

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Easter Sunday stands as the radiant heart of Christianity, the day the Church rejoices in the living truth that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. This isn’t just a commemoration of a past event. It’s the foundation of our faith and the beginning of a new creation. As the Catechism teaches, “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (CCC 638). When we say ‘Christ is risen,’ we proclaim that God’s love has conquered sin and death and now invites every believer to live a new kind of life.

The Meaning of Easter Sunday

In Catholic tradition, Sunday takes on new meaning because of Easter. It is the “first day of the week,” recalling the first creation, and at the same time, the “eighth day,” symbolizing the dawn of a new creation (CCC 349). The Resurrection did not simply end something. It began something entirely new. That’s why every Sunday is, in truth, a “weekly Easter,” and why the Church gathers around the Risen Lord week after week to encounter Him at the table of the Eucharist.

Easter celebrates the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. While it’s fine to enjoy the lighthearted customs of the season, like colorful eggs or the Easter bunny for the kids, it’s essential to remember that these traditions flow from the deeper mystery of Christ’s victory. The Resurrection is about real transformation. It is God’s renewal breaking into the world, into our world.

Jesus Resurrection
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The Bridge to the Father: Jesus’ Work on Good Friday

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My family doesn’t travel a lot due to a variety of reason but when we do it’s special. There’s excitement of the anticipation of going to a “new” place or a destination. But it also involves tons of angst and worry. It takes planning to make the trip go smoothly (and by smoothly I mean not a complete ship-wreck). As the kids have gotten older we have been able to travel more and more. Still not super far from home. Usually it’s a couple hours away to visit family and friends.

This weekend we are going to my son’s state basketball for Special Olympics. It’s been an event circled on our calendar for months now. Last year we went too and he got to eat Froot Loops for breaksfast at the hotel. We aren’t staying in a hotel this time but he wanted to keep things like last year and so I pick up a couple small bowls of Tuscan Sam’s favorite cereal. I think it helped with his anxiety. My son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and he can sometimes struggle with change. Consistency is key for him to stay regulated. And I suppose that’s the same for many of us.

We like to stick with what is familiar. To stay in the comfort of our daily routine and to know what to expect. And that is a good. It is good to have a habit and order in our lives. But it is not the highest good. When our need for control overcomes other goods and ultimately the highest Good (who is God) that is when it begins a problem.

I am writing this reflection on Palm Sunday, the start of the most important week of the liturgical calendar: Holy Week. The Cathoilic Church in Her wisdom has guided the faithful in preparing for this week during all of Lent. Lent is a time to fasting, increase our prayer, and be generous with our time, talents, and treasures. And we are called to an even deeper penance this Holy Week.

I think it is fitting that I am traveling while writing (I’m in the passenger seat so don’t worry) and it’s on Palm Sunday. As Catholics we are called to enter into the Mysery of the Lord’s Paschal Mystery.

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