Wandering the Desert

"I hope you receive everything I've ever said here with the heart I intend, that we learn to take our belief seriously that the Holy Spirit is everywhere present and filling all things. All things. It has been a joy to offer these reflections and to stumble on the path toward the Kingdom with you all. This has been so good, and I know it's all going somewhere even better."

As we continue the Lenten journey, Christian reflects on whether "try harder" and "just stop" approaches to our passions actually are that beneficial to our progress in the spiritual life.

This week marks the year anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a national emergency. Christian Gonzalez reflects on the impact of the pandemic over the last year, particularly viewing it through the lens of trauma.

Christian reflects a bit on the NBC Show, Community, and wonders what its implications are for our life as the community of the Church.

This week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on welcoming all the parts of ourselves (including the ones we don't like) to the table as we seek to move forward in love.

This week, Christian Gonzalez explores how our faith is one that must exist within this world as it is, not by trying to escape it.

In the last episode, Christian Gonzalez explored how Christ being born in us is the reason for the season. This time, he explores what this might actually look like.

At the beginning of the Nativity Fast, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the past year and the true reason for the season.

Christian Gonzalez explores the aftermath of Election Day while both sides wait to see who won. Which side is God on? Or does dividing ourselves into “sides” miss the point?

Christian Gonzalez reflects on some of the brighter sides of the pandemic for a change, finding that "happiness can be found in the darkest of places."

This week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the scriptural and patristic theme of living a Gospel that makes a material difference in the world.

Back from the break, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the division he sees in society and urges others to rise above it.

Christian Gonzalez reflects on the riots and protests following the COVID-19 Pandemic and wonders whether there are some things for us to learn.

Sometimes life just feels like an unconquerable mess, but maybe part of the call of life is to get used to learning how to deal with messes when they arise.

Christian Gonzalez reflects on the reopening of American life, and explores the tension he feels between faith and fear.

Christian Gonzalez continues to reflect on life under quarantine and considers the ways in which love lends meaning to even the hardest of times.

Christian Gonzalez continues to reflect on the ongoing nature of the pandemic, and wonders what God might have for us in this season.

At the beginning of Holy Week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the sheer amount of noise that has filled his waking hours and his desire to move to a more quiet contemplation.

This week, Christian Gonzalez explores the difficulty, the need, and the call to remain joyful, even when times feel dark and difficult.

This week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the novel coronavirus and its impact on the way we follow Jesus during this particular Great Lent.

This week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on spiritual healing and explores some of the obstacles that may stand in the way.

Christian Gonzalez reflects on the difficult reality of life in this world and how Jesus is our only hope.

This week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on how hard it is to be a person, and how we are continually learning through the ins and outs of life.

This week, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the reality that admitting you have limits is a hard but necessary part of the spiritual life.

This week, Christian Gonzalez explores the various ways that we tend to identify and how all such self-definitions must find their fulfillment in God's love.

Christian Gonzalez reflects on the nature of shame and its corrosive effects on our lives.

Christian Gonzalez reflects on how relationships in his life bid him to come live for something other than himself.

And a Happy New Year! At the turning of the year, Christian Gonzalez reflects a little on 2019 and explores the kind of New Year's Resolution he hopes to make for 2020.

Merry Christmas! Christian discusses how he has experienced noisy culture getting in the way of opening the heart to the Lord.

Sometimes the world can feel overwhelming and dark. Christian Gonzalez discusses how stories can offer important reminders and visions of goodness, beauty, and truth.

It seems that many of us are always busy. This week, Christian Gonzalez explores some of his struggles with being over-committed.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Christian Gonzalez reflects on how difficult it is to stop complaining and suggests what it might mean to do all things with Christ's strength.

At the beginning of the Nativity Fast, Christian Gonzalez reflects on the difficulty (and need) to make a strong effort to reach for the Lord.

Christian Gonzalez discusses the inevitability of pain and how, rightly used, it can bring forth new life.

Christian Gonzalez discusses his struggle with loneliness and reflects on how it might be used for something other than what he wants.

In the first episode of Wandering the Desert, Christian discusses the purpose of this new podcast from Y2AM and describes the often arid feeling of the spiritual life while looking for some pieces of manna along the way.