The Gospel Was Never Against YouWhat Jesus actually says about correction, boundaries, Church authority, and the people religion has hurt.A Word Before the HomilyBefore we begin, a small pastoral word… as usual.If you have a parish where you are safe, welcomed, and known, I hope you will make time toRead more

Friends,This week began with Peter trying to talk Jesus out of the Cross.It ended with me attempting to earn permission to attend a family barbecue by producing enough bricks for Pharaoh.In between, we met two unnamed Christian women whose courage outlived the Roman governor who had them tortured. We watchedRead more

Before we get into today’s reflection, I need to show you something rather wonderful.We have officially reached 3 percent paid support.A portion of all proceeds will be used to purchase treats for Figgy.To everyone who stepped forward and became a paid subscriber, thank you. Your response has given me greaterRead more

Good morning, my dear friends!Today’s reflection grew out of a sentence I could not stop turning over: to walk with Christ is not to be perfect; it is to commit ourselves to moving toward sainthood. Too many good people have been taught to confuse holiness with never struggling. Eventually, theyRead more

One of the things I love most about this little corner of the internet is that today’s reflection began with an honest question from one of you. A reader asked why anyone would fear a God we believe is loving, and that question became the essay you just read.That isRead more

The Reviews Are In…Episode II of Message From the Margins is out, and I have to admit, your responses are making me very happy.I told you yesterday that I had been up far past my bedtime getting the new episode of the podcast finished.What I did not tell you wasRead more

A note for our free subscribersMy friends,It is 11:25 PM as I write this, and yes, I am still sitting at my computer polishing this podcast. I have listened to some of these sentences so many times that St. Paul and I are now practically bffs.But you guys keep meRead more

Good morning, friends.Before we open the readings, a small pastoral nudge from your friendly neighborhood priest. If you have access to a safe and loving parish, I hope you will go today. A reflection arriving through a screen can carry Scripture to your kitchen table, and I am grateful toRead more

When Our Words Become BelievableThis week, Peter, Bartholomew, Dolly Parton, Canada, and an empty family chair all asked the same question.Friends,This week began with Peter giving Jesus the right answer: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” It is a magnificent confession. It is also only theRead more

Dear Reader,So, I promised you something important this morning, and I believe I delivered it.But it has since come to my attention that, looks around cautiously, I am apparently the boss around here, which means I can do what I want.Since today is the Memorial of Saint Augustine, one ofRead more

Friends,Many of you asked whether a shorter version of this morning’s open letter was available.It is.I remain cautious about encouraging anyone to send something like this into a relationship I do not understand. You know your family, your circumstances, and your safety better than I ever could.But you asked forRead more

Before You Read ThisFriends,This piece began as something personal.For several years, I have been grieving the loss of closeness with some of my extended relatives. I still love them, tremendously in fact. I believe they still love me. But something between us has changed since Donald Trump’s corrosive politics creptRead more

Episode 2 Arrives Monday, and an Important Question for YouWe have crossed 10,000 members. Here is what your support is already building, and where we are going next.A few weeks ago, I did something I never particularly enjoy doing.I asked you plainly to help support this work.And many of youRead more

A few weeks ago, I did something I never particularly enjoy doing.I asked this community plainly to help support the work.And many of you responded.At the time, approximately 2 percent of the people in this community were paid subscribers. Today, we have reached 2.8 percent.Eight-tenths of one percentage point mayRead more

My friends, today’s reflection is free to every reader, as nearly everything from Message From the Margins will remain. The Gospel cannot be placed behind a paywall, especially on a day when so many people are grieving someone whose generosity crossed nearly every boundary we have invented.If this ministry givesRead more