The Orant

My neighborhood park this morning was beautiful. I love the fog. It helps defuse the light so you notice it all around. Perhaps I need to see the fog of life in this way. So often we strive to glimpse the future horizon of our life. Making plans for tomorrow. Dreaming of the prospective paths down the pike. There is something sacred in today and it is so easily missed. Perhaps uncertainty is a gift. Unexpected fog on life's journey is a blessing when it forces us to pull over and take stock in … [Read more...]

Many wonder at why we use the cross so much in Catholic life. We make its sign on ourselves, our homes, our children, our possessions, our heart, our lips and our forehead...The answer is simple. The shape of the Christian life is cruciform.The Gospel always calls us to follow Christ's example to lay out life aside for the life of others. The cross not only mediates between the Christian and God but also the Christian and neighbor, wife, child, job and even persecutor. In all these … [Read more...]

Over the years I've heard a lot about importance of a dog in the life of a boy. Often these sentiments are followed by some comment about a dog's unconditional love, friendship, loyalty or affection.These admirable traits so often possessed by our canine brethren are truly blessings and I for one am glad to have a dog in my life which provides an ample share of all these things.However, this is not what I see as the Main advantage of having a dog alongside your children. A dog's value is not … [Read more...]

Alexander Schmemann reminds me... "The Eucharist is a movement of adoration and praise in which all joy and suffering, all beauty and all frustration, all hunger and all satisfaction are referred to their ultimate End and become finally meaningful." … [Read more...]

Today I say thank you To the builders Who dig among the ruins of burned bridges Who fight off the trolls Who bear the burden of the hurtful and the hurting And make a way for love … [Read more...]

Emily Dickinson reminds us:“Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all -And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - And sore must be the storm - That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm -I’ve heard it in the chillest land - And on the strangest Sea - Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me. … [Read more...]

Coleridge called dew the gems of the mourning and the tears of "mournful eve." Each dawn brings us the gift of a new day, but with it the loss of days now past. I pray I won't miss the gift today looking back at how the treasure of yesterday is gone. … [Read more...]

"The wild goose" is one of the lesser used terms for the Holy Spirit, but it's one I think about a lot when I hang out with the flock down the block. Their life is always in transition moving with the seasons, bringing new life each year. They remind me to stay flexible. There is no telling where the spirit might next lead. … [Read more...]

Been playing with natural frames and lenses. This is a good exercise. It opens my eyes to new ways to see the world. It's a reminder to be aware of the ways I see the world. My experiences, education, social location and family influence how I process the daily events of life and the story I believe myself to be a part of. It is only when we are able to name our lenses that we are able to imagine the world through alternative frames.  Sometimes I need optometrist for my heart. How have your … [Read more...]