Elizabeth Reardon

Gospel Reflections: Luke 12:49-53

Today, I share both my reflection and the wonderful community of CatholicMom.com with each of you! Tune in daily for wonderful insights, reflections, recipes, book reviews and more! Today’s Gospel: Luke 12:49-53 If you were looking today for that feel-good Gospel passage, you might just walk away disappointed. Yet, Jesus never said that discipleship was one of convenience or that our faith…

On Faith and Reason

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 What is it to have faith, to find hope and meaning both in this life and in a life eternal to come? More than a set of values, principals or doctrines set forth to be believed, it is intrinsic, a part of our spiritual DNA so to…

The Space Between Us

By chance you are reading this and expecting a 2017 romantic sci-fi film review, then you might be a bit disappointed. If however you find yourself, like so many in 2020, set apart by masks, news articles and divisive arguments than you have found a home. For those who know me well, I am a hugger. Much preferred to a handshake or a well done pat on the shoulder a hug is an all embracing no words…

If we are blessed that we may discover that we can “find God in all things”, be “surprised by joy”, stand outside ourselves and see the world from a single perspective from which God sees it, integrated and whole.

Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits Vol. XX, 5, November 1989

Earlier this week, to my delight I was approached by my sophomore son to take a second look at his honor’s history…

Worth Revisiting: From Ordinary to Extraordinary

“When the Jewish leaders saw the boldness of Peter and John and found out that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and realized that they had been with Jesus… God wrought no ordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. ” Acts 4;13; 19:11

Though perhaps missed, ignored or even denied,  everything in life has potential within. From the tiniest seeds to the most enormous creatures,…

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. 1 Cor. 9:24-27

Without months, even years of preparation, we can easily see that a runner in a marathon cannot even arrive to the starting line . Moreover, if he or…

Worth Revisiting: Less Than Nothing

“Mom..we have NOTHING to eat in the house!”

This familiar refrain, that can be heard echoing throughout our homes, never ceases to annoy us as moms who know better. Yet, if we take a moment to consider, what we are truly bothered by is the lack of understanding of what real need looks like by our children. Need that has no instant fill, and want not for the frosting on the cake but for the…

“But now, thus says the Lord,     who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;     I have called you by name: you are mine. ” Isaiah 43:1

Our names could be considered the very first step in the formation of our identity in life. It is from there our connections to one another web out spanning centuries of ancestors and events in history. For, we didn’t just…

Worth Revisiting:The Feeding of the 5000

Mt 14:13-21

After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus understandably seeks to get away to spend some much needed time in prayer.  With crowds constantly surrounding him, the time for renewal not to mention the time needed to grieve would prove formidable. His heart, however, moved by compassion on the people who were seeking to be healed could not remain idle in their need. And through this…

“Let anyone who comes to you go away feeling better and happier. Everyone should see goodness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile. Joy shows from the eyes. It appears when we speak and walk. It cannot be kept closed inside us. It reacts outside. Joy is very infectious. ” St. Teresa of Calcutta

In a time of pandemic where we are inundated with talk of  infection rates, precautions,…

Worth Revisiting: When the Spirit Speaks

Though now almost 2 years ago, this post still evokes such a vivid image of God’s guiding hand when invited to lead us through all things big and small alike. 

God, I have found, is never outdone in generosity. Always the gracious giver, he longs to surprise us breaking into our everyday ordinary to do the extraordinary. And still how easily these moments could have been missed by our failure to…

Worth Revisiting: In Deep Water

Never a strong swimmer by any means, the mere idea of treading water is completely unappealing to me. As well is the comfort of being within reach of the shore, and the proximity of my toes on the safety of the bottom. Every inch of distance apart requires surrender, faith and trust. Yet, while there is risk in venturing out there is also promise of new discoveries never to be found in the…

Worth Revisiting: With All Our Mite

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

Growing up in the rural South, I already knew…

Worth Revisiting: Loving My Enemy

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven… If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans…

“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:15).

During this time of isolation and social distancing with COVID , drawing nearhas seemed virtually inconceivable- even illicit.  A time whereby even the doors of the church closed or time spent inside was limited to just a hour or two. …

Worth Revisiting: Living in the Moment

One of the greatest gifts of ministry is gaining the opportunity to see though the eyes of those who we encounter. If we are able to be unencumbered by our own concerns, schedules and preconceptions, then we are able to truly receive that gift. Not an easy task, given the demands of our day and the increasing expectations of family and work.  Yet, so incredibly rewarding in broadening our…

Worth Revisiting: Catholic & Living Gluten Free

The following is a guest post by an incredibly bright, articulate, young Catholic girl named Emily Pruyn. What a privilege it has been to come to know and spend time with her this past year! 

To be a Catholic means to be a part of a community and a universal body of believers, united in Christ Jesus. Partaking of Holy Communion is essential to us as followers of Christ and doesn’t only remind us…