The Voice That Pulled Me Back A Reflection for the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels

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Today, we remember the Holy Guardian Angels—
those quiet protectors God assigns to each of us.
Not as decoration,
but as declaration:
We are never alone.

When I look back over my life,
I see moments I should not have walked away from—
car accidents,
foolish choices,
words I wish I hadn’t said.

And yet—I was protected.

Sometimes, I didn’t see the angel.
Other times, I think they looked like a stranger.
Or sounded like someone familiar.

One cold December night in the early ’80s.
My friends and I had been out,
doing what college students sometimes do.

One of them said, “Let’s go swimming.”
We walked to the bayou that ran through campus.

They hesitated.
I didn’t.
They dared me to go skinny dipping.

Made bold by youth and spirits,
I started wading in.

Then—out of nowhere—
a voice rang out:

“Billy Goss, put your clothes back on and get out of the water!”

We all heard it.
No one knew who said it.

Maybe it was my coach.
Maybe it was my guardian angel.

Either way—
it was grace.
It was protection.
It was from God.

The Catechism says:

“Beside each believer stands an angel
as protector and shepherd,
leading him to life.” (CCC 336)

And Jesus reminds us:

“Their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18:10)

So today—
listen for the voice.
The whisper.
The warning.
The tug of grace.

Because sometimes,
the most ordinary moment
is the one that saves your life.

And sometimes,
the voice you hear
is not your own—
but the angel God sent
to walk beside you.

A Prayer of Gratitude for Guardian Angels

Lord God,
thank You for the unseen hands
that have steadied my steps,
the quiet voice that pulled me back,
the grace that protected me when I did not deserve it.

Send Your holy angels to walk beside me—
to guard my body,
to guide my choices,
to whisper truth when I wander.

May I listen.
May I trust.
May I never forget
that I am never alone.

Amen.

The Power of a Faithful Man A Reflection for Husbands, Fathers, Deacons, and Priests

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This is for husbands.
For fathers.
For deacons and priests.
For men called to lead—
in the home,
in the parish,
at the heart of the Church.

You are vital.

I know—because I’ve failed before.
Other things came first.
Prayer slipped.
Presence faded.

But grace kept tugging.
And slowly, I returned—
to morning prayer,
to blessing the table,
to showing up at Mass.

A man’s walk with God begins on his knees.
It takes prayer.
It takes resolve.

Men need to pray publicly.
Because faith doesn’t just happen.
It’s passed on—
in the way we live,
in the way we love,
in the way we lead.

The family the domestic church.
And in that church, fathers have a sacred role.
Not to dominate,
but to guide.
To pray.
To bless.
To make faith visible and ordinary.

True leadership is not loud.
It’s steady.
It’s humble.
It’s the courage to say, “I was wrong.”
The strength to say, “Let’s pray.”
The wisdom to say, “God is here.”

When a father practices his faith—
not as a performance,
but as a habit—
his children learn that God is real.
That worship matters.
That prayer belongs in daily life.

The numbers tell a sobering truth:
When only the mother attends church,
just 2–3% of children remain faithful as adults.
But when the father attends—
up to 44% follow his lead.

That’s not coincidence.
That’s spiritual impact.

So start small.
One prayer this morning.
One Sunday kept.
One moment of mercy.

These ordinary acts shape eternal things.

“The favoring hand of my God was upon me.”
Let that be our hope.
“Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you.”
Let that be our vow.

Walk with your wife.
Walk with your children.
Walk with your parish.

Let your life preach the Gospel—
quietly, faithfully, truly.

And let others say,

“We will go with you,
for we have heard that God is with you.”

A Prayer for a Man’s Walk With God

Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen the hearts of men who lead in quiet ways—
in homes, in parishes, in daily life.

Teach us to walk with mercy,
to guide with humility,
to love with resolve.

May our habits preach louder than our words.
May our presence be a blessing.
And may our children see You in us—
faithful, steady, and near.

Amen.

Holy Resolve in our Walk with God - ​Feast of St Jerome

 

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I went to the doctor the other day.
The numbers weren’t terrible, but they weren’t great either.
Blood pressure a little high. Weight up.
The labs looked decent. But the message was clear.

The doctor looked me in the eye and said,
“You’ve got to get back on your diet.
Move your body every day.
One step at a time.
Do it with conviction—
to stay healthy,
to care for those you love,
and to continue your ministry.”

And I heard it.
Not just as medical advice—
but as a spiritual call.

So I set out, as Jesus did, with holy resolve.

Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem.
Not with fury. Not with fear.
But with quiet strength.

He knew what waited—rejection, suffering, the cross.
Still, he walked.
Still, he sent messengers ahead.
Still, he hoped to be received.

But the village said no.
James and John bristled.
“Lord, shall we call down fire?”
But Jesus turned, rebuked them, and walked on.

No thunder. No revenge.
Just mercy. Just mission.

This is the rhythm of the Gospel—
not domination, but invitation.
Not retaliation, but resolve.
The strength to keep moving in love.

Saint Jerome walked with that same resolve—
translating Scripture so the Word could speak plainly.
Not just words about God,
but the very speech of God.

And Zechariah saw the fruit of that mission:
A people saying,
“Let us go with you—for we have heard that God is with you.”

So today, whether we’re walking toward the cross,
translating the Gospel into kindness,
or simply choosing a salad over the sweets—
let us walk with God.

Let our lives say,
“Come with me—for God is here.”

Pray: Let Us Go With You

Lord Jesus,
you set your face toward Jerusalem
with mercy in your steps
and love in your heart.

Teach us to walk with that same resolve—
not in anger, not in fear,
but in quiet trust.

May your Word speak clearly in our lives,
and may our witness be simple and true.

Let others see your presence in us
and say,
“Let us go with you—
for we have heard that God is with you.”

Amen.