Sometimes our house can get chaotic. Big families are just like that. But sometimes it’s more than just chaos. Sometimes it feels like an attack. You guys know what I mean. When something dark and sinister seems to have besieged your family and everyone is struggling with something. Everyone is pressed down, overwhelmed, despairing. And you feel like the house might erupt at any moment. What do you do? One thing I’ve found helpful is to gather up the kids, put on praise and w

One day, not long ago, Eva wanted to play basketball outside in the driveway. At the time, though, there was something going on in the neighborhood. There were several state troopers outside on the street. One actually had a gun drawn. Yes, this is a real story. Anyway, Eva didn’t see the cops, thankfully. And I didn’t want to scare her, so I didn’t tell her they were there. I just told her she couldn’t go out to play basketball right now. And she was NOT happy. Now, to get t

Why are you Catholic? I get asked that question regularly. It usually comes with a look of confusion, often after a powerful, Christ-centered conversation. I think my Catholic identity is perplexing for some people because most people know me to be very serious about my faith… but Catholics have a reputation in some circles—and not a good one. So I usually just respond, “I’m Catholic because Jesus was Catholic.” Immediately, they tell me, “Jesus was a Jew.” That’s where I nod

The Resurrection “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. And the angel said to the women, “Do not be a

God loves us and works for our good. So why does He allow bad thi to happen?