Unplanned and the Mercy of God

Last updated on: April 25, 2019 at 1:03 pm By Tina Mayeux

Abortion is one of the greatest tragedies of our time, for all involved: the unborn, the women who become victims to the abortion industry, and for individuals who become involved and employed by abortion providers. This fact is poignantly revealed in the movie Unplanned, the story of Abby Johnson, who herself had two abortions and worked as a Planned Parenthood clinic director. After witnessing an ultrasound-guided abortion firsthand, Abby has a complete change of heart and becomes one of the... Read more

Mary Magdalene: Seeking Him Before Dawn

Last updated on: April 24, 2019 at 1:27 am By Tina Mayeux

In the gospels of Easter Sunday and of the days following, we hear of Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb and her role as messenger to the disciples. “On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciples whom Jesus loved, and told them, ‘They... Read more

The Resurrection of Christ: See, I am Doing Something New!

Last updated on: April 20, 2019 at 4:32 pm By Tina Mayeux

Alleluia! He is Risen! The Easter season has arrived. We have journeyed out of the harshness of Winter and Lent and into the newness of Spring and the Resurrection. He has saved us from our sins and ourselves. We rejoice and bask in the warmth of His glorious Resurrection! See, I am doing something new The completion of the Triduum ushers in the beginning of the Easter season, where we experience a joy and freshness, a celebration of the new life... Read more

The Icon Peddler and the Good Fridays of our Lives

Last updated on: April 18, 2019 at 6:27 pm By Tina Mayeux

One night when I was in my 20s and living in an apartment with my sister, there was a knock on the door. A mysterious woman stood there, selling an assortment of religious prints. I gave her a few dollars for an image of Jesus in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. I believe it was providence. Little did I know that the image was a foreshadowing of one of the most devastatingly difficult times of my life. Like some... Read more

Judas, Peter, and St. Bernadette: Betrayal, Second Conversions, and Faithfulness

Last updated on: April 16, 2019 at 1:06 pm By Tina Mayeux

The Betrayal of Judas In John’s gospel today, the scene is set for Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. After Jesus demonstrates his love and humility by washing the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, he declares, “But so that the scriptures might be fulfilled, ‘The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.’…Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (Jn. 13:18,21) The disciples are bewildered and Peter signals John to find out who... Read more

Walking With Jesus Through Holy Week

Last updated on: April 15, 2019 at 12:14 am By Tina Mayeux

My daughter and I drove south to Dauphin Island yesterday to meet friends on the beach. We crossed the lengthy bridge over the water that surrounds the island on all sides, isolating it from the mainland. Time to withdraw and reflect for a few hours. We were able to sit quietly and listen to the soft waves wash ashore, feel the salty breeze and the stinging sand against our legs, and inhale the fresh Gulf of Mexico air blustering in... Read more

The Sexual Abuse Crisis and the Absence of God – Summary of the Recent Essay of Benedict XVI

Last updated on: April 13, 2019 at 11:53 pm By Tina Mayeux

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI recently addressed the crisis of sexual abuse in an essay which he intends to assist the Church in its dealing with the fallout of the scandal. Although his ideas about the issue differ from Pope Francis,’ he does not overtly contradict the Holy Father; rather, his commentary and recommendations add an additional perspective to the current viewpoint. The pope emeritus says he contacted the Holy Father himself before publishing his text. To begin, he assigns responsibility... Read more

Come to the Ocean of Mercy – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Last updated on: April 12, 2019 at 10:57 am By Tina Mayeux

“You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.” These are the comforting words from the Opening Prayer for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. When you think of an ocean, you picture a vast, wide, and deep body of water extending as far as the eye can see in every direction. We know that God’s love is so much bigger and all-encompassing even than that. He... Read more

On Falling Leaves and Wildflowers

Last updated on: April 10, 2019 at 1:20 pm By Tina Mayeux

My husband and I were out in the back yard enjoying the cool, breezy, unpredictable South Alabama spring weather the other day. He had a good blaze going in the fire pit and the smell of smoldering branches was in the air. The last few dry, brown leaves lingering in the trees drifted to the ground, unfettered by the gentle breeze. Watching the leaves fall to the ground reminded me of the brevity of life and how important it is... Read more

Faith in the French Quarter

Last updated on: April 9, 2019 at 9:45 pm By Tina Mayeux

My family made the two-hour drive to New Orleans today for an afternoon in the French Quarter. We had a wonderful lunch of steamed and fried Louisiana seafood – a fare that we dearly miss enjoying on a regular basis as we did before we moved away from the state. Balcony seating made the experience truly rich, watching the cargo ships steaming by on the Mississippi and hearing the French Market jazz music wafting over from across the street. The... Read more