by Lori Wilson I was talking with a pilot today. The weather had forced him down, and he had to wait a day to get home. Instead of fuming over the delay, he found a local Catholic church with no line for confession and made the most of the time. As he talked about staying at peace with the wind, about not letting the delay decide his mood, I found myself back in the cockpit of a different plane, decades ago. I was in tenth grade. My best friend's father owned a small two-pers

by Lori Wilson "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." — Matthew 25:35 I wrote a retreat once around a simple gesture. As participants moved outside, each person received a small paper heart and was invited to place it beside one of several signs: The Hungry, The Unhoused, Those Needing Clothing, Welcoming the Stranger, Visiting the Sick and Imprisoned. The idea was simple: let your heart go where it is being pulled. Don't think too hard. Just notice. I already knew, even as

by Lori Wilson "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20 There is a memory I have carried for a long time, and it is not an easy one. I was a sophomore in high school. Life was full, school, sports, a job, and on Saturdays, a long list of chores to do my part and help our family of eight. One of my regular Saturday jobs was helping Gran with her grocery shopp

by Lori Wilson As I listened to the Gospel one Sunday in April, I recognized myself. I am Thomas, at least some of the time. I question things. How do you know? Show me. Where did you hear that? Asking for more information has never felt like a character flaw to me. It's simply how I'm wired. And I've come to believe that God made me this way on purpose. So when I hear Jesus' response to Thomas, I don't hear rebuke so much as invitation. Come. See. Touch. Know. I have had mom

A Lenten Reflection Through the Eyes of Mary Magdalene by Lori Wilson Introduction In the Gospel accounts, we find Mary Magdalene among the faithful few who remained at the foot of the Cross when others fled. She who had been transformed by Christ's love now faced the ultimate test of faith—watching the One who had given her new life suffer and die. This Lenten season, we're invited to stand with Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross. To witness not only Christ's suffering,