I am Mike Maude, the sole author of these reflections.  I live in Lawrence, Kansas and am a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  My professional career was devoted to working for nonprofit healthcare institutions and to consulting with nonprofits in the areas of development, strategic planning, and leadership development.

I was baptized into the Catholic Church during my senior year at the University of Kansas and earned a degree in English in 1971.  My faith journey has ebbed and flowed over the years.  In 2011 I attended a Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) weekend retreat which created in me an incessant question. Who was this man Jesus?  It seemed that the gospels were the best place to answer that question and I began with the daily readings.  I soon clearly felt called to write my reflections.  My CRHP teammates asked if I would share these with them.  The distribution list grew as others asked to be added — other parishioners, family, Christian friends, and nonbelievers.

Their affirmations led me to conclude that I am a kind of everyman in the pews, that many others have the same questions, doubts, and wonderings as I do.  However, I write these for an audience of one:  me.   It is my way of thinking out loud, of figuring out what I think and believe.

I am an ordinary Christian.  I make no claim to ecclesial authority or Biblical scholarship.  I do believe, though, that the Holy Spirit prompts me, opens my mind and heart, and leads me to a deeper understanding and faith that is individual to me.  In the course of this journey I have come to know Jesus and I have grown to love him in a surprisingly real way, a personal transformation for me.  I pray that these reflections will at times open your mind and touch your heart, bringing you to a closer relationship with Jesus as well.

Feel free to contact me at mmaude(at)develop-net(dot)com.