As we begin Holy Week, I am reminded of the gospel of John 1:35-42 when we hear Jesus ask the two who were following him, “What are you looking for?” It’s a question he is asking each and every one of us right now.

Sometimes our answer is a practical one. What are you looking for? I can’t find my cell phone anywhere and I’m lost without it. If you pray to him, Jesus may indeed, help you find your phone. But if we only pray for convenient solutions to life’s trials, we may realize at some point that this is probably not the answer Jesus has in mind. So at some point he will ask again, “Really, what are you looking for?”

Back in the day, there used to be a thing called P90X. It was an intense workout routine guaranteed to give you a totally ripped body in 90 days. Well, what if there was a more intense exercise in spiritual perseverance that, if you stick with it, will bring you closer to Jesus and transform you in let’s say 40 days. How would that work?

We all have things in our life that if used in excess can strain our relationship with others and Jesus by taking time away from them. Maybe it’s our phone, social media, pod casts, videos, or video games. Being to busy and over scheduling, even if they’re good things, can rob us of investing valuable time in our faith and with those most important to us.

We would like to introduce Deacon Ken Preiss. We are so excited to have him with us here at Catholic Charities of Shiawassee & Genesee Counties to provide counsel and healing to those seeking change in their lives. That his words provide you guidance and comfort.

Deacon Ken Preiss is just a normal guy. He lives in Fenton with his of wife of 31 years, Karen. His daughter Madeline is a Neonatal Nurse living in Texas and his youngest, Kate is a senior at Kettering University studying chemical engineering. Before becoming a deacon, he worked as a Project Manager at General Motors for 33 years.