Posts by Nicole Buchholz
His Peace
Openness to His Voice As we prepare for the consecration of Russia and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary tomorrow, the words of today’s readings are quite a call for me. “Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 7:23) “If today you hear…
Read MoreLetting Go
Today’s readings are very direct and to the point. I think the lesson I can take from them is, don’t hold on to things that don’t last. I need to let go of what is passing. Many times, when we are economically stable, we can think like one of the rich men in the Gospel…
Read MoreFaithfulness and Mercy
The readings from Samuel have been leading up to the moment of David becoming king of Israel and Judah, uniting the kingdoms. All that work always seems excessive for such a short period of unity. In the words of the responsorial psalm, God says of King David: “My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with…
Read MoreCall To Faith and Courage
The readings today speak of times of persecution. They are a call to fidelity and a courageous response to live in the truth. We also celebrate the courage of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and 116 other martyrs who died in a persecution of Catholics between 1820-1862. Choose Death to Choose Life To choose death rather than…
Read MoreThe Son of Man Must Suffer Greatly
Peter’s exclamation of “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God!” is a bold declaration of who Christ is. Yet, a moment later, his lack of faith in that statement earns him rebuke from Our Lord. Although not included in the reading today, in the verse directly after Jesus tells his apostles He…
Read MoreI Saw You Under the Fig Tree
We all have low moments in life, times when we aren’t sure what to do or how things will work out. In these desperate moments, I have at times tended to think I’m alone and that there is no help for me. Yet, my experience has been that God proves His fidelity by being right…
Read MoreOur Lord Sows Good Seeds
God is continually at work in our souls, planting good desires and virtues. His heart is overflowing with good things for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not your woe! Plans to give you a future and hope!”…
Read MoreJohn the Baptist, the Forerunner
On this day when we remember the Birth of John the Baptist, a few thoughts come to mind. First, he was a child of a promise from God, and second, his role in salvation history as the “forerunner “ – the one who was to “go before the Lord to prepare his way” (Lk. 1:76).…
Read MoreLessons from the Healing of Bartimaeus
I am always intrigued by the story of blind Bartimaeus. Imagine this man-blind, maybe abandoned by any family he may have had, a beggar on the street hearing about Jesus, and thinking, “If everything I have heard about this man is true, he can cure me! He can take away my blindness!” Make Some Noise…
Read MoreLord, You Have Been So Good to Me
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” (Psalm 116) This phrase of Psalm 116 always stands out to me, but it has especially marked me this past year and a half. During this time, I’ve learned that I have ALS, but I’ve also experienced…
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