“In Baptism we are born again, the sanctifying grace that God intended for us to have is restored to us.” Death and Rebirth In 1995 neurologist Oliver Sacks published a book titled “An Anthropologist on Mars.” In the book he discusses a man named Virgil. Virgil was born blind butContinue Reading
“We are called to think big, to think beyond the need that we see immediately before us” A Limited Vision The 1965 film “The Agony and the Ecstasy,” wherein Pope Julius II clashes with Michelangelo, is a wonderful reflection on faith, inspiration, and the trap of thinking small. For artistsContinue Reading
“The Light of the World walks among us and we do not recognize Him” The Monastery There was once a monastery tucked deep back into a forest, far off the beaten path. The monastery had a reputation for being a place of peace and tranquility. An oasis of calm inContinue Reading
“To go out into the wilderness is to leave behind our attachment to our everyday world.” Why the wilderness? The Lost Inca City Back in the “golden age” of archaeology (think Indiana Jones,) an archaeologist set off for South America to track down a “lost” Inca city. It wasn’t reallyContinue Reading
“our primary work then is to preach the Gospel, if we do this well, the rest will follow.” What is this time of Advent truly about? A Revolutionary War Lesson During the revolutionary war, a spy, loyal to the British cause, learned that Washington had crossed the Delaware River duringContinue Reading
“In the final accounting it will all come down to whether or not we have learned the true meaning of love.” The Seven Works of Mercy In 1607 the church of Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples approached the Renaissance painter Caravaggio about a commission. They asked for a seriesContinue Reading
“Each sings a song, and helps to make music for the world.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta What is the purpose of the gifts, talents, and abilities that have been bestowed upon us? Saint Teresa of Calcutta was once staying with a community of sisters working with the Aborigines of Australia.Continue Reading
“through baptism we are connected to the entire body of Christ, all Christians living and dead.” A Lesson by Niggle In January of 1945 J.R.R. Tolkien published a short story titled “Leaf by Niggle.” It is a symbolic story about our purpose in life. In the story, Niggle is anContinue Reading
“today we honor all those who, externally, lived ordinary lives.” The Spiritual War We are engaged in a war here on earth. The prophet Job tells us, “The life of man upon earth is warfare.” We are constantly faced with obstacles and obstructions to peace, happiness, and justice. In recentContinue Reading
“True love is not a feeling by which we are overwhelmed. It is a committed, thoughtful decision.” -Dr. M. Scott Peck Abou ben Adhem and Love of Neighbor English poet Leigh Hunt tells a story about a man named Abou ben Adhem. Abou woke up one night to the visionContinue Reading