They covered ears; he kept his eyes on Light. Persecution wears a “reasonable” face. Lord, make my Christmas brave—and my words gentle: Truth without stones. Synodality without silence.
Category Archives: Catholic Rural Life
Day 16: “Pause”- The Nativity of the Lord (Vigil Mass) & Prayer for Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
God did not shout His way into history. He paused. And in that pause, everything changed.
Day 15: “House”- Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent (Morning Mass) & Prayer for Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
I asked God to bless the house I was building. He answered by asking whether I was willing to live in His.
Day 14: “Be”- Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent & Prayer for Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
I am learning Advent’s hardest verb: be. Not to fix. Not to flee. But to stay where God has already arrived. Emmanuel is not a solution —He is a presence.
Day 13: “The Holy Art of Balance”- Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent & Prayer for Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
God balances worlds the way a child flips toast— steady hands, no rushing, trusting the turn.
Day 12: “Ask”- Fourth Sunday of Advent & Prayer for Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
I asked for a sign. God gave a Child. I asked for clarity. God gave His Presence. Synodality begins where silence ends and we dare to ask together.
“Day 11: Why I Keep Asking”-Saturday of the Third Week of Advent & Prayer for Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
I asked—not for a sign in the sky, but for voices at the table. Advent answers those who dare to ask together.
“Day 10: Praying for an End to Silence”-Friday of the Third Week of Advent & Day 10 Prayer for the End of Silence Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
Silence can be prayer, or it can be fear. Advent teaches us to know the difference.
“Justice That Breaks the Silence”-Thursday of the Third Week of Advent & Day 9 Prayer for the End of Silence Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
Justice is not the loudest voice, but the one that finally listens. Advent does not erase our past—it teaches us how to carry it toward the Light.
“Tribute” → “Justice” → “Synodality”-Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent & Day 8 Prayer for the End of Silence and the Beginning of Synodality Regarding the Diocese of Amarillo’s “Tribute to Bishop Matthiesen”
A genealogy of saints and scars, not silence but Wisdom leads us. Tribute fades—truth remains. Synodality begins where fear ends.