But It’s Only a Litle Tug
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, they find it attached to the rest of the world.” This is the wisdom of John Muir, naturalist, mountaineer, and Father of America’s National Parks. Cosmologists know some intricacies of the universe, and marvels keep being discovered. The greatest discovery of all is to know that […]
Excavating Your Motive
How often do you ask yourself “Why?” Your first answer may not be as truthful as you think. “Why didn’t I volunteer to bake goodies for the hospitality kitchen?” First reason: I don’t have time. And…anything else? I don’t like going there. Why not? It’s so unpleasant. Why? I don’t know how to talk with […]
Making a Living
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” These are the wise words of Winston Churchill. Perhaps you’re lying in a hammock while sipping your favorite beverage on a day perfectly choreographed by God. Do you find yourself saying “This is the life!” or “This is really […]
“I Just Don’t Understand”
I say to myself too frequently, “I just don’t understand why ____.” Invariably the statement refers to a puzzling action of someone with whom I have frequent contact. Perhaps you do the same with a spouse, family member, or co-worker. Before formulating pre-judgments like “They’re just lazy,” or “They don’t care,” try attentive listening. Arrange […]
The Force of Love
Recently we remembered Martin Luther King, Jr. on our national holiday. King has said many memorable things to make us better people. One is this: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” God is Light. God is Love. Light and Love are […]
How the Synod Can Help our USA Politics and Our Own Conversations
If you have access to the January issue of America magazine, I suggest you read “The Cure for Political Polarization?” by James Martin on pages 46-47. Martin describes the past two Octobers when he participated in the Synod on Synodality. While he noted the disagreements, he also noted the agreement on the essentials. Although the […]
Church Unity Week—January 18-25
2025 has several anniversaries marking the Christian calendar. One is the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian ecumenical Council at Nicea (near Constantinople) in 325. Highly important, this council affirmed the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity, thus opposing Arianism, a prevalent heresy claiming Jesus had only a human nature, not a divine one […]
The Broad Arc of Christmas
Why does the Church observe the Christmas Season for three weeks? Why do we keep our decorations up several days after December 25? The Church gives us time to understand the mystery of the Incarnation, which is also the mystery of redemption. Let’s look at the gospel used for the Christmas Mass during the Day. […]
Jubilee Year 2025
This is the 2025th anniversary of the birth of Our Lord. Pope Francis declared that this anniversary intends to “fan the flame of hope” as we “look to the future with a trusting heart and a far-sighted vision.” A holy year begins with opening the door at the Vatican, an event that occurred on Christmas […]
