Lisa Brenninkmeyer's Blog, page 12

For Your Weekend: Time to Prepare

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 25:1–13

I remember the first time I heard the phrase, “Lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.” It seemed to me the wise sort of thing someone says who has very good boundaries. Within that same week, it’s likely I made a late-night run to CVS for some missing piece of a school project or hurried to get a forgotten lunchbox to my child before noon. I’m aware that I should just allow the shoe to drop with one of thes...

For Your Weekend: Take Off Your Mask

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 23:1–12

Some people use hypocrisy for the reason that they no longer go to church because they believe the church to be filled with hypocrites. I’ve heard it many times, both from people who have permanently left the church and those who have thought of leaving. 

And I sympathize with that. No one likes a hypocrite. 

For myself, when I experience true hypocrisy, I feel it in my chest—a tightness that comes from anger, feelings of distrust and being m...

For Your Weekend: Dangerous Love

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:34–40

I descended the aisle, genuflected before the tabernacle, and pivoted left. Placing a neatly folded bill into the wooden offering box secured to the wall, I assumed I’d light a blue votive and take my usual place before the statue of our Blessed Mother. But something stopped me.

Let me rephrase that. Someone moved me. 

It was a mother’s whisper to the ear of my heart that gently instructed, “Go to Jesus.” Shifting my focus, I chose to light ...

For Your Weekend: God Made You a Dual Citizen

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:15–21

Many summers ago, during a mission trip, I walked into a bar with my mission leader. I was twenty-three years old then, and we both knew that the rule was that anyone over twenty-one could have one drink in one sitting. Knowing this, I mentioned I would order a whiskey and Sprite. My mission leader responded, “It’s fine if you order a beer, but I’d rather you not order a whiskey.” I was indignant. I felt my rights were under attack, and I di...

For Your Weekend: Your Outfit for Eternity

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:1–14

Months ago, I splurged on a lovely dress that is now hanging in a plastic garment bag in my closet, unworn. I had spent countless hours thinking about what to wear to a much-anticipated wedding. Determined not to show up underdressed, I had been planning my wardrobe for months. 

But instead of celebrating the bride and groom, I spent the wedding day sitting by my mother-in-law’s hospital bed in her final days of life. Mum had always dressed e...

For Your Weekend: We Are The Tenants

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 21:33–43

Did I ever tell you about when I entered a contest to be on a reality TV show and won? They were looking for a mom desperate for a home, wardrobe, and life makeover. Entries included a written submission stating why you deserved the prize and a video of a day in your life with your children. I don’t know if my writing skills caught their attention or if it was my daughter who threw up on the couch while recording our video. Whatever the case...

For Your Weekend: The Little Way

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 21:28–32

“I am daringly confident that one day I shall become a great Saint.”[1]

These are the words written by Saint Therese of Lisieux, doctor of the Church, patron saint of Walking with Purpose, whose feast day we celebrate on October 1.

Daringly confident. 

I’m not sure I’ve been daringly confident at all, ever, in my life. Certainly not about being a saint, let alone a great one. And yet, as Christians, we are all called to sainthood, to holines...

For Your Weekend: The Injustice of Envy

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 20:1–16a

“But WHY? It’s not FAIR!”

You may think I’ve got a story for you about one of my kids, but nope. That was me—last week. 

I had my heart set on something. Something that definitely didn’t happen. Something that I had prayed for—begged God for—and told myself would be good for me. I was convinced there was no way God wouldn’t give it to me because there was no scenario where this wouldn’t be good for me. It just MADE SENSE for me to have it. O...

For Your Weekend: The Fruit of Forgiveness Is…Forgiveness

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 18:21–35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” [And] Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21–22).

How often do these familiar Scripture verses echo in our minds as we struggle with forgiving someone, especially someone who is a repeat offender? To forgive another person for causing us harm may feel like we are givin...

For Your Weekend: The Most Important Thing

Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 18:15–20

My daughter received an intriguing text from her boyfriend. It read, “I am so embarrassed. I have to leave work.” Apparently, his office shares one small bathroom, and when he failed to lift the seat, the boss pulled him aside, gently pointed out his lack of bathroom etiquette, and sent him back into the stall to clean up. The face-to-face humiliation was so intense it was all he could do not to flush himself down the toilet.

After a good la...