I'm not used to listening to the Sunday sermon except with the intention of catching mistakes. That comes from being a know-it-all. But I'm going to have to start tuning in - big time and for real - because Father Mike's preaching is radical. Moreover, he truly seems to believe what he's saying. He ought to believe it, of course, because it's True. But there's a freshness and, well, did I say "radical"? Now, he is radical - he's a priest. That's quite radical. But he's calling us, compelling us, to a radical faith, too.

Of the three traditionally theological virtues, my forte has always been "hope". "Faith" is anemic and underdeveloped, and "charity" is, well, nonexistent. With personal stats like that, "hope" is the only thing that keeps me clinging to Christ's garments.

You know, Fr. Mike actually warned us against "multipying prayers" on Sunday. I mean, those were his exact words, "multiplying prayers". I quaked. Catholics don't talk that way. I was convicted. I thought to myself (and to my God), "Well, what am I going to do now?" I use vocal prayer as a way of jump-starting my mental prayer. He gave an "out" and said that memorized prayers could be employed to drown out worldly concerns and assist the mind in centering on God's presence. Whew, that's a relief. But he encouraged us to approach God in our own words and ask the Holy Spirit to help us pray. To teach us to pray. I can use my own words, I have used my own words and I have asked the Holy Spirit to help me pray. But maybe I just like words too much. I'd rather pray Scripture or the Divine Office or someone else's prayers. Gee, maybe Father Mike is a charismatic. Wouldn't that be something? That would just figure.