The Path to God

On this Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena , one of the Church’s boldest voices and a faithful daughter who once exhorted popes with fire and love, we find ourselves at the close of the novemdiales —the nine days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis. It is a sacred time to reflect not only on his life and legacy, but also on the Church he leaves behind. Saint Catherine was not afraid to challenge, but she did so with deep fidelity to the Church and to Christ. Today, we must strive for the same balance as we reflect on Pope Francis: to love the Church deeply, and to understand her shepherds with both heart and truth. A Shepherd Misunderstood, Not a Heretic In an age of division and noise, it is easy—even tempting—to misjudge a person from a distance. And when that person was the pope, the leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide, the scrutiny intensified, and the stakes felt impossibly high. For many, Pope Francis became a figure of inspiration. For others, sadly, a sou...

(Note: This blog is my personal reflection on Bishop Robert Barron and the upcoming conclave. As we stand at a pivotal moment in Church history, I feel called to share how Bishop Barron's leadership and ministry have profoundly impacted my faith journey, especially during times of deep uncertainty. ~ GG) In a world deeply divided between secularism and faith, Bishop Robert Barron stands as a radiant bridge-builder. His ability to communicate the Gospel with both theological precision and pastoral warmth makes him uniquely poised to bring Christ to the modern world. Through YouTube, podcasts, books, and global platforms, he reaches millions who thirst for meaning and truth. Master Communicator in the Digital Age Bishop Barron has embraced the tools of the digital age to evangelize. His "Word on Fire" ministry demonstrates that new media, when harnessed for good, can be a powerful instrument for spreading the timeless truths of Christ. He meets people where they are—online...

Inspired by Bishop Robert Barron’s Seeds of the Word – Finding God in the Culture Brothers and sisters in Christ, We live in a world of constant change. Cultures rise and fall. Movements shift. What is praised today may be forgotten tomorrow. The cathedrals of old, like the majestic Chartres, once raised to the glory of God by the sweat and sacrifice of the faithful, now often serve as scenic stops for tourists rather than sanctuaries of prayer. And yet, we are reminded by Bishop Barron that this pattern is nothing new. “So it goes, and so it has always gone.” The Church has always journeyed through history not as a monument to the past, but as a living, breathing Body of Christ. Sometimes, the Gospel flows with the cultural tide—when justice, beauty, and truth are upheld. Other times, it must stand firm against the current, when convenience and false freedoms try to drown out the call to holiness. Whether applauded or mocked, the Church remains constant in her witness: Jesus Chri...

“My God, My God, Why Have You Abandoned Me?” ~  Matthew 27:46 Have you ever prayed with all your heart—desperate, raw, and hopeful—only to be met with silence? Have you ever cried out, “God, where are You?” and felt like the heavens were sealed shut?  You’re not alone. And you’re not faithless for feeling that way.   In fact, you’re praying the same prayer Jesus once did. The Cry from the Cross On that dark Good Friday afternoon at Calvary, Jesus hung between heaven and earth, forsaken by friends, scorned by crowds, and surrounded by darkness. And then came His cry—the fourth of the seven last words from the Cross: “My God, my God, why have You abandoned Me?” He wasn’t just quoting Scripture, though those words begin Psalm 22.  He was giving voice to every human heart that has ever yearned for an answer in silence. The Silence That Hurts Jesus’ cry didn’t bring thunder from heaven.  No voice boomed back.  No angel came to comfort Him....

A Holy Thursday Reflection for Servant Leaders in Community “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” — John 13:7 Today,   Holy Thursday , we are invited into one of the most intimate and instructive moments in the life of Christ—the washing of the disciples’ feet . This quiet, almost hidden gesture by Jesus speaks volumes, especially to those of us who serve within faith communities. It is an act filled with mystery, humility, and prophetic meaning. And yet, even His closest friends did not grasp it. Peter’s discomfort and resistance echo the struggle many of us feel when we are called to serve in ways that feel beneath us, confusing, or costly . Jesus doesn’t offer an immediate explanation. Instead, He says: “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” This is a word of encouragement and formation for every community servant leader . Servant Leadership Begins in Mystery On that night, Jesus—our...

Families in Christ Jesus Community – FCJC Men's Ministry As we enter into the heart of Holy Week, our hearts are still full from the grace and fraternity we experienced at the recent 2025 FCJC Men's Retreat: "The Way of the New Man – A Journey of Renewal in the Desert." One of the most powerful moments of the weekend was Talk 2: Brotherhood and Servanthood – Walking the Path of Christ , shared by our brother Tonichi . Rooted in the words of Jesus from Matthew 12:50 , we were reminded: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother.” We realized that brotherhood is not merely about shared interests or backgrounds but about shared obedience to the Father . When we choose to follow God's will, we are united as brothers in Christ. "Life Does Not Make Sense Unless We Make a Gift of Ourselves." That single line from Tonichi's talk pierced many hearts during the retreat. It’s a profound reminder that our lives only find meaning in...

FCJC Men’s Fellowship Reflection – Palm Sunday The Hosannas and the Hidden Call Palm Sunday invites us with waving palms and joyful cries of “Hosanna!” Yet beneath the celebration is the deeper truth: Jesus is entering the city not to bask in applause but to embrace the Cross. This triumphal entry is the beginning of His greatest act of love—the Passion , as proclaimed in Luke 22:14–23:56 . As men, we are called not just to witness this moment from the sidelines, but to walk with Jesus through the garden of agony, betrayal, suffering, and self-giving love. It is in the Passion that we find the truest image of manhood . A Crisis Among Our Boys and Young Men At our FCJC Virginia Men’s Fellowship last Saturday at Fairfax Coffee , we reflected on a painful reality: a growing crisis among boys and young men today . Many are confused, isolated, and uncertain of what it means to be a man. Behind this crisis is often the absence of a good, present father,  especially during the pi...

In a world that often celebrates comfort, passivity, and fleeting success, God calls men to something far greater— to live with the strength of fortitude and the grandeur of magnanimity . These are not simply virtues to admire; they are essential characteristics of a man who knows his identity in God and lives out that identity with purpose and courage. The Identity of a Man in God A man rooted in God is not defined by his status, career, or strength, but by his relationship with the Father. Created in the image of God, and redeemed by Christ, he is called to reflect the strength, love, and greatness of the One who made him. The world tells him to be successful; God tells him to be faithful . The world urges him to climb the ladder of power; God calls him to kneel in service . In this divine calling, fortitude and magnanimity are not optional—they are the armor and fuel of the Christian life. Without fortitude, he falters at the first sign of difficulty. Without magnanimity, he set...

  The Crisis of Fatherhood: Understanding the Decline and Rediscovering True Masculinity Introduction The modern world faces a crisis of fatherhood, a reality that was deeply explored during this past weekend's men's retreat. Talks 3 and 5, delivered by our brothers Jess and Jigs, shed light on the challenges men face in embracing authentic masculinity and fatherhood. This article integrates insights from those talks with scholarly perspectives, highlighting the dangers of absentee fatherhood, the influence of toxic masculinity, and the path toward rediscovering true manhood through the example of St. Joseph and Jesus Christ. The Crisis of Fatherhood: A Cultural Shift Dr. John Bishop, in his interview on the latest Godsplaining podcast published last Tuesday (4/1/2025), elaborates on the growing crisis of masculinity. Drawing from the work of Lionel Tiger, an evolutionary sociologist, he notes that men have become increasingly disenfranchised in the reproductive process, le...