Holy Eucharist, Humility and Flannery O

My column at First Things this week looks at the story of Father Augustin Escobar, the California priest who recently had his priestly faculties suspended for concelebrating Mass with a Presbyterian minister. As few details had yet emerged as I was writing, I stuck to the question of closed communion There exists an odd double-standard [...]

Lenten Reading: Jesus and Jewish Roots of the Eucharist

It’s that time of the year again. As Ash Wednesday approaches (it’s later than usual this year, and am I the only one who feels likes she’s missing it and needs it to begin?) I’ll be suggesting books that may enhance the Lenten journey. Foremost in my recommendations will be this book, Jesus and the [...]

Stars and the Excess of Clarity

Spent some time stargazing a while back, when I couldn’t sleep. No telescope, just the naked eye, a dark neighborhood and a willingness to wonder. I was digesting a bit of Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain, and it had stayed with me through evening’s pass – the sight of the stars, the early, wise [...]