"Jesus Wept" by James Tissot "I'll work until my last breath," he laughed.And he honored those words.Father Jacques Hamel, beloved 85 year-old priest for St.-Étienne-du-Rouvray parish in Normandy, France, was ruthlessly executed today by devotees of the Islamic State (ISIS) while he celebrated Mass. The murder was macabre in method, unconscionable in motive and has left both a small Catholic church and a larger world shaken with grief and anger.When I heard th … [Read more...]
“Until My Last Breath” – The Tragedy & Hope of Father Jacques Hamel
July 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
St. Thomas More’s “Horrible Moral Squint”
July 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
"Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” - Matthew 22:21 He was toying with him, the Cardinal was. In Robert Bolt's iconic play, A Man for All Seasons, it was late in the evening. Far away from the demands of London, Sir Thomas More was reclining in his comfortable Chelsea home when the summons came. Cardinal Wolsey, King Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor, requested the presence of Sir Thomas at once on a matter of "the King's business". Grumbling would ensue amo … [Read more...]
Alton Sterling, Philando Castile & What Nuns Taught Me About This Messed Up World
July 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment
“The tragedy in a man’s life is what dies inside of him while he lives.” ― Henry David ThoreauIf you haven't heard the names Alton Sterling or Philando Castile in the last 24 hours, welcome back from Mars.But if you stop what you are doing and visit any major (or minor) news outlet, you will find an outpouring of emotion and commentary from presidents and governors, police chiefs and civil rights leaders, family members and shocked neighbors, talking heads and Joe Public. Everyone has s … [Read more...]
Why It’s Okay to Feel Ill At Ease
July 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment
I see it sometimes...when others don't.Of course, this is likely because it is in my mind's eye.Oh, at times it is an Irish pub ensconced in some craggy hilltop accessible, albeit not easily, by a rough climb along paths cheered by wind-blown heather. Other times, it is a cherry-wooded cottage library, shelves teeming with petite classic works, looking out upon warm, dense woods while the heavy door is closed but for moments to impart wisdom or share poignant exchanges with family and … [Read more...]
Don’t Despair
June 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment
"I will even be so indecently frivolous to burst into song, and say to...young pessimists:‘Some sneer; some snigger; some simper; In the youth where we laughed and sang. And they may end with a whimper But we will end with a bang.’" - G.K. Chesterton Don't despair.I know. I know.Things look pretty grim.Heinous violence is commonplace. Civility is increasingly rare. One class hates another. One race resents another. Vital laws are ignored. Frivolous laws are ena … [Read more...]
What Pope Benedict XVI & G.K. Chesterton Understood (But Science Misses) About Mystery
June 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment
G.K. Chesterton I've been thinking.Does Science like Mystery? I mean, really and truly embrace it. Because if you think about it, the entire reason for Science's existence is to answer questions, solve riddles...demystify. So what happens when Science can't answer certain questions? How does Science grapple with enduring Mystery?I know, I know. You're going to say, "Science is neutral."Fair enough.But Scientists aren't. And the growing body of adherents to Scientism, where … [Read more...]
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