Photo Credit: Pixabay.com If you are an American, did you feel this past week like you were climbing a chain link fence trying to cut through vicious razor wire just to feel free as a citizen of democracy while congress whittled away at that democracy? If you belong to a religious denomination, did you feel... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Live in Kindland?
Photo Credit: EPIC Assist If I told you I live in Kindland, you would think I was engaged in fantasy, trying to tell you a sweet story, trying to lure you into an imaginative realm. Who could possibly live in a place called Kindland? Who made up this imaginary place? Kindland is real and it is Cleveland,... Continue Reading →
“The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music…” And So Are the Prisons
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com I absolutely love music. My favorite genres are pop, (old time), classical, old country, blue grass, and folk. I admit to not liking hard rock or heavy metal and I have to continue my attempts to appreciate hip-hop. Actually, with hip-hop, I get the culture aspect of it and that seems to ingratiate... Continue Reading →
Conscience and Spirituality: Two Soul Sisters
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com I was startled in my tracks last week when someone asked me what conscience was and how is it handled in religion. Seeing my reaction he continued, “No, seriously, what is conscience?” he asked innocently enough. My first thought was to suggest he take a course in religious studies at the university where I... Continue Reading →
“Move on, Move on.” Encouragement from Pope Francis
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com There is so much to love about the leadership style of Francis I, Pope of the Catholic Church. I know that many of you are not Catholic and maybe not even be near the understanding of what a pope is or how this man is considered one of the most energizing and... Continue Reading →
What is ‘Ordinary Spirituality’?
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com SLICING POTATOES It helps, putting my hands on a pot or a broom, in a wash pail. I tried painting, but it was easier to fly slicing potatoes. And isn’t this true? The Islamic poet Rabia knew of the ‘ordinariness’ of daily spirituality. Her challenging life of abuse left her emotionally unable... Continue Reading →
Roads, Highways, and Journeys of the Spirit
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com I recently read an interview with Pete Buttigeig, Secretary of Transportation, that stopped me in my tracks. I try not to involve—at least by name—public officials or government leaders because this is a non-partisan blog that should relate to readers of all political persuasions. But this interview was very different and fits our exploration... Continue Reading →
Contemplative Prayer: Anyone Can Do It. And in Any Denomination
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com Deep inside every person is the presence of God. Sometimes that Presence is dimmed by the distractions an individual nurtures related to the false gods who take up residence in one’s heart and mind. These distractions might be other people, career, money, or prestige. Over time an impenetrable mask covers these distractions,... Continue Reading →
A New Epidemic is Sprouting an Ugly Head
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com At the height of the pandemic, I wrote a blog on ‘loneliness.’ Many of my readers responded personally after reading it and I have since noticed an increase in people wanting to discuss the effects of loneliness in their spiritual lives. It seems we are not done with learning about loneliness, and... Continue Reading →
Where Do We Go from Here? The Changes in the Sisterhood
Photo Credit: (clockwise) The Times, UK; Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth; Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland The recent decision of the Sisters of Charity of New York not to accept candidates for their community has stirred questions among Catholics and even non-Catholics as to the future of religious communities of women. Most people are aware of the... Continue Reading →