How do we approach controversial political issues from a Catholic perspective, especially ones as charged as immigration? Discerning what we're called to do as faithful Catholics is not always easy, and the Church is called to inform consciences but not replace them....
Fr. Ian Van Heusen's Author Page
Fr. Ian Van Heusen
Fr. Ian Van Heusen
3 Ways To Respond To Injustices |Catholic Bible Study
On social media, at work, at home, in your community, at school... are you building up or are you tearing down? Are you helping to proclaim Jesus, or are you adding to the anger and hatred - especially political - that fills society? Today's gospel reflection can help...
You’re Invited to the Party. How do You Respond? (Gospel Reflection)
How do you respond to an invitation to a party? Jesus uses the metaphor of a party invitation to talk about a deeper spiritual principle in this week's Gospel. We're all invited to the heavenly banquet, which actually begins on earth in the Mass. But how do we...
Is Your Life Bearing Fruit? An Examination of Conscience
Are you bearing fruit? Seeing our own limitations, forming and examining our conscience, and connecting with God's mercy is something that takes deliberate and intentional work, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit and thanks to the insights of the saints who've gone...
How To Overcome The Sense That “Life Is Unfair”
"Life is not fair!" Such a temptation and a thought-trap. How do we get past this pitfall? Today's Gospel reflection helps us by providing three strategies to overcoming this all-too-human struggle that threatens to derail our own personal progress and cooperation...
3 Keys To Draw Loved Ones Back To God
How can you help fallen-away family members return to the Lord? Many of us ache over our loved ones' separation from God, be it through ignorance, stubbornness, woundedness, or otherwise, but we feel inadequate in our attempts to draw them to faith. We present a...
How Do You Resolve Conflicts With Others? Three Key Insights
How do you resolve conflicts with family, friends, in social situations, in the Church? The key to holiness is not that everything will always be perfect in our lives, but rather how do we deal with problems when they inevitably do arise. Father Ian VanHeusen presents...
The Weakness Of St. Peter: What He Teaches Us About Surrendering Our Fears
How do you deal with suffering? How do you learn to push through discomfort, fear and anxiety for the sake of Jesus Christ? At some point in life, we all must encounter fears, and some of them are too heavy to overcome alone. In Matthew 16:21, Peter balks at Jesus'...
How Do You Give A Christian Testimony?
What does it mean to testify to Jesus Christ? Have you ever had the opportunity to proclaim your faith? Peter's bold testimony in this coming Sunday's Gospel reading is a compelling lesson on Christian responsibility, but also on human happiness. Father Ian VanHeusen...
When God Gives Us Unexpected Surprises
St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities. “For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot,...
3 Reasons God Speaks To The Human Heart In A Whisper
St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities. “For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and...
What The Transfiguration Teaches About Divine Love And The Choices You Make
In today’s Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on the readings for Sunday’s Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of...
How To Seek Contemplation I Catholic Bible Study
St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities. “For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and...
Wrestling With Fear And The Mystery Of Injustice: The Parable Of The Wheat And The Weeds
In today’s Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on the readings for Sunday’s Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of...
“What I Hate Most About Being A Priest”
Fr. Ian Van Heusen provides a Gospel commentary and video each week for Catholic-Link. He loves being a priest, but there is one thing that bothers him about his vocation. In this video, Fr. Ian shares that people actually asked him more spiritual questions when he...
Creating Circumstances to Flourish: How to Cultivate Good Soil in Your Life I Catholic Bible Study
In today’s Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on Matthew 13:1-9. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal...
Are You Overdoing It? Does That Work? ~ How to Find the Sweet Spot of Gentle Strength (Gospel Reflection)
In today’s Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on the readings for Sunday’s Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of...
Do You Practice Hospitality? The Deeper Message Behind Accepting Guests (Gospel Reflection)
In today’s Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on the readings for Sunday’s Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of...
How Jesus Teaches Us To Be Patient and Courageous | Catholic Bible Study
St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of other spiritual activities. "For just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and...
As We Gaze Upon God Let Us Be So Bold As To Believe | Corpus Christi Gospel Reflection
In today's Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise for the Feast of Corpus Christi based on John 6:51-58 St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of...
Holy Trinity Sunday: What The Mystery Of The Trinity Reveals About Humanity
This Holy Trinity Sunday we invite you to try the following spiritual exercises. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and mental prayer, and of...
Let The Holy Spirit Transform Your Fear: How To Embrace The Challenges Of Your Mission
In today's Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on Acts 2:1-11. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of contemplation, of vocal and...
How Can I Seek My Mission And Discover My Vocation?
In today's Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on the readings for the Mass of Our Lord's Ascension. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of...
“I Will Not Leave You Orphans” I Catholic Bible Study
In today's Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a Catholic Bible study and spiritual exercise based on John 14:15-21. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of...
Stir the Desire: Let Jesus Show You the Way to the Father’s House (Gospel Reflection)
In today's Gospel reflection, Father Ian VanHeusen presents a spiritual exercise based on the readings for Sunday's Mass. St. Ignatius of Loyola explains, “By the term “Spiritual Exercises” is meant every method of examination of conscience, of meditation, of...