fullness of faith
There has always been a healthy strand of Catholicism that has been earthy, playful, untidy, and wayward. It is a perserving element that has been squelched at times, and too often dismissed as...
View ArticleAll that lives must Die
In the play Hamlet, Gertrude is tired of her son’s moping around, unable to get beyond the loss of his deceased father. She grumbles, “Good Hamlet, cast thy nighted color off, And let thine eye look...
View Articlekiaros
His large hands—from a long life of manual labor—stroked her sweaty hair, keeping the few strands from going too wild. He had caressed her many times since she began to show signs of Alzheimer’s ten...
View Articleelders at a young age
Tommie was 21 years old when his friend’s car crashed. Everyone else in the mangled vehicle miraculously walked away. Tommie’s face was so punctured that his wife Misty asked for a closed casket, an...
View ArticleWise faith
One of the bravest of Catholic writers remains Flannery O’Connor (my favorite for runner up is Léon Bloy—“Any Christian who is not a saint is a pig.”) She really didn’t write words--she punched them...
View Articlethrown into it
In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ novel, Love in the Time of Cholera, the main character, Fermina, is dreaming of running up and down a magical river with her lover, who is dying of cholera. She turn to him...
View ArticleBounty
One- to careful storytellers, teachers and poets of creation’s splendor: you help us see the Logos up close.-to the lovers who see unlimited beauty, trust, and comfort in another: you give beams of...
View ArticleChrist the King
Fr. Richard Rohr wrote that Jesus never once said, “Worship me.” What he said was, “Follow me.” And that is the challenge. Worshiping Jesus is great. It means we ‘get it’ that he is our Lord, the...
View ArticleBeginning with the essentials
For most of church history the Gospel of Matthew held a primacy, because of its focus on teaching. That’s why it was placed first in the New Testament; it was the singular bridge between the big names...
View ArticleTo The World
It may be my dark Irish side—which is an unwieldy side—but the idea of joy baffles me. I know it is more hefty than being giddy, and it is not something that is always there, which I suppose could get...
View Articlewhat darkness cannot overcome
After Ed left the Jesuit novitiate, he met Marypat in a homeless shelter. There, he practiced listening with those who wanted company, hanging out with those who had no choice, and giving medicine...
View Articlefixed gaze
When I was in studying philosophy, I began the three-year program with 27 other Jesuits. They gave me life; they gave correction, they pounded me with inspiration. By the end of the program, six...
View ArticleRemembering Peter
Mass of Resurrection for Peter Michael TownleyNo one wants to be here. We wish we could be back to our routines, getting ready for glad tidings. We wish the Townley family could be in school, at...
View ArticleChristmas Litany
Based on the Magnificat, and from Pope Francis’ words in the 12/16/2013 interview with La Stampa, "Never be afraid of tenderness." One:more:Jesus of MaryProclaim God’s goodnessWord of...
View ArticleFitting In
This is how the birth of love comes about: It happens, like Mary, when you leave sufficient emptiness in your heart. It leaves room for chaos and struggle. It will leave space for communion with...
View Articlewe are poor
For most if us, there is no marked change in our lives from December 31 to January 1. We may count our blessings. We may imagine our deepest hopes for ourselves, our dear ones, our faith. But the...
View Articleon air
One of the best jobs I had was also one where I got a clue of the passion of the saints. I coached gymnastics to young tykes who wanted to learn how to take awkward, bumbling aimless bodies, and try to...
View Articleresolved
I don’t know anyone foolish enough to makes resolutions at the start of the year, so I see a need to fill. I gladly attempt to set mighty goals where wise ones know better. Since my resolution does...
View ArticleWhat Baptism says about us
When we baptize a baby into the faith, what are we doing? We welcome a new member into Christ’s household, certainly, but why sell ourselves so short? Could we not say that each time we baptize, or,...
View ArticleWhat we must say about baptism
Apparently it was very important for this man without sin to be baptized. He knew that before he or any of us try to build or invite or encourage or restore, we have to absorb. We have to go back and...
View Article
