Deacon Joseph Michalak

suffering

Remain at the Cross

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“Ever since the bloody and fruitful nuptials of Calvary, one who seeks love must be nailed upon the cross” (Archbishop Luis María Martínez, d. 1956). The older I get, the less romantic the cross appears; I do not like the cross. And yet, more and more, he draws me to himself through the cross. I Read More
praying

Living the Now

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So many of the spiritual masters agree: a great aid — and challenge — for holiness is to live in the present moment. Attending to the now puts me in touch with the reality of God and immerses me in the infinity of his love. Now, is my intersection point with eternity. If God dwells Read More
prayer

Ongoing Formation of the Heart

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Beyond initial conversions, vocational discernments and major decisions, our hearts must cross several thresholds. Sometimes gradually, almost imperceptibly, only in light of hindsight might we see such. Sometimes with immediacy, even violently, at watershed moments in our life in Christ does it happen. Regardless, the effect is the same: some aspect of our life comes Read More
man prays

Distracted? A Gentle Return

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Any honest deacon or priest will admit it. The shocking realization, the I-can’t-believe-I-just-did-that awareness, the wide-eyed moment of reality piercing the fog in the middle of the liturgy when I awake (gasp!): “Has the consecration happened yet?” I’ve totally ditzed. I’ve been orbiting Pluto. I’ve got no clue where I’ve been, and here I am Read More
MAINE CHRISM MASS

Embracing the Hiddenness of the Diaconate

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At the NET Ministries annual vocations Mass for 1,500 high-energy high school students, the emcee was introducing the vocational representatives to speak afterward: “Welcome Archbishop Hebda!” (thunderous applause). “Here we have the Benedictine monks!” (loud cheers). “Here are the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus!” (louder cheers). “And the Franciscan Sisters, the School Sisters of Read More
Jesus and the Canaanite woman

Remain in the Battle

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The Catechism calls it “the battle of prayer.” The saints and spiritual masters — scriptural, classical, contemporary — all recognize it. All have experienced it; none are exempt from it. Jesus himself teaches it: Prayer is a battle. And it is not simply a battle against our own odd notions of prayer, our distracted minds, Read More