Pixabay.com “The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control.”  Epictetus, Greek philosopher. “We can do this,” says Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and chief scientist for the... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com This is not the blog I intended to write in anticipation of Memorial Day, the day we honor the fallen of our wars who gave “the last full measure of devotion,” the day that springs summer into full swing, the day of memory. I could not write a serene reflection laced with joy and... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com Sometimes we can get depressed and overwhelmed with the disgust and evil surrounding us crackling our soul’s atmosphere like tremors of an advancing earthquake.  We fear what will happen next.  Who will be victimized?  Who will face unexpected terror?  I thought of this while listening to the news of the shooting in Buffalo, which... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com I get it. The way our world is spinning with chaos, division, hatred, and distrust we might wonder where God is. When you are confronted with the vacuum of nothingness which was once filled with a loving relationship, you question the existence of the God of love. Scott Hershowitz, professor of philosophy and law... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com First communion in the Catholic tradition is an event in which little seven-year olds get to receive the consecrated host for the first time. They have had several months of education bringing them to this moment where they learn that Jesus is truly coming to them in what adults call, ‘the Real Presence’, the... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com A few years ago I made a retreat on the spirituality of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the brilliant Jesuit paleontologist whose work originally was censored by the Vatican for its progressive theme of the connection between science and theology. De Chardin wisely asked his secretary to hide his unpublished writings until after his death... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com I once asked a friend which she preferred: baseball, football, volleyball or basketball? “Highball,” she answered sarcastically. One could see why the soothing fizz of the drink was helpful given the recent acquisition of the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Look it up on your own to learn of the division this has caused... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com Have you ever walked with someone who was grieving or deeply depressed? Your companion usually does not look at you, at least continuously, her head is bowed as she listens and speaks. You stop occasionally to make a point or touch her arm to warn of an impediment on the road. You are aware... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com The liturgical readings for this week abound with meaning for all Christians.  I encourage you to take solid time each day to reflect on a passage that touches you or inspires you to meditate on.  You can get the readings of the day as they are read in your local church or you can... Continue Reading →

Pixabay.com Some of my happiest memories of childhood centers on reading books. When I very young, like third grade, my Dad would pick me up from the local library on his way home from work. I had checked out a pile of books, my face barely able to reach the check out counter where the... Continue Reading →