From my friend (and one of my favorite authors) Fr. Dwight Longenecker: a poem from his slim little book, “A Sudden Certainty: Priest Poems.” * * * * * A STUDENT’S PLEA No, no, Father, please don’t toss the mike like a DJ when you preach. Please don’t be cool. Please don’t ride a Harley motorbike when you come to school. Don’t wear red cowboy boots for Pentecost, and tell dumb jokes to be our pal. Please don’t high five;... Read more
Once again, President Obama has disregarded the strongly held beliefs and moral convictions of a majority of the American people. He did this on February 23, while at the same time running roughshod over the Constitution of the United States. This latest show of presidential chutzpah: Mr. Obama ordered the Department of Justice to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is reported to have authored a “tweet” in support of the... Read more
I ran across this beautiful prayer the other day, and thought it might come in handy. I think today’s the day! PRAYER FOR HUMILITY Father, give me the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its needs, welcomes advice and accepts rebukes. Help me always to praise rather than criticize, to encourage rather than to disparage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. We ask this... Read more
What a wonderful world this is! (Grrrr….) I was meditating today on the inherent value of living things. That is, I was taking a deep breath, clearing my head, refocusing my attention on the wonders of creation—especially the little animals who are my neighbors, like the squirrels who build their nests in our trees. That’s a better approach, I think, than grabbing a shotgun or a slingshot and enforcing our sovereignty over our little acre. But sometimes I’m tempted!... Read more
Over the past few years, it has been my privilege to travel frequently to Rochester, Minnesota. I’ve come to love the noble, good-hearted people I meet there, people who help me in my work and keep me in their prayers. And the tunnels! I have wandered the downtown skyways and tunnels which link the parking garage to the shopping center to the Mayo Clinic to the restaurants and the hotels and the chapel—enabling those hearty Minnesotans to navigate harsh, snowy... Read more
On February 14, Americans will remember their sweethearts with candy and roses and cards, collectively spending more than $17 million as a sign of their fidelity. Meanwhile on February 13, World Marriage Day, the Catholic Church calls our attention to the sacramentality of marital love, reminding us that marriage is between a man and a woman, is both procreative and unitive, and is an integral part of God’s perfect plan. Read more
Today we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Catholics remember that on February 11, 1858, Mary appeared to a young peasant girl in a cave at Massabielle, just a mile from the French town of Lourdes. Young Bernadette Soubirous called her simply “the Lady.” In all, “the Lady” appeared to Bernadette 18 times that year. One one occasion, Bernadette asked her who she was; and Mary’s answer was “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Or, in French, “Que soy era... Read more
In Amish society, there is a period during adolescence called Rumspringa (or Rumschpringe)—a Pennsylvania German term for “running around.” It’s the common name for a period in the late teen years when some young Amish try their wings—perhaps engaging in rebellious behavior or defying the community norms. Oh, there are those among the Amish—as in the rest of society—who never stray far from the fold. Some young people, though, use this period to experiment with alternate lifestyles: wearing make-up or... Read more
Over the last week, the airwaves have been buzzing with anti-abortion news. Live Action Scores Big in Latest Sting Against Abortion Provider – Last week there was Lila Rose’s shocking exposé of Planned Parenthood, revealing once again that an employee of the sexual and reproductive health care giant had counseled clients in how to obtain reproductive services, including abortions, for under-age women– in this case, for young women working as prostitutes. You’ve got to laugh at how a spunky 22-year-old has... Read more
And I tell you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. — Matthew 16:18 * * * * * To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts—such is the duty of the artist. –Schumann * * * * * It’s good that we know how things turn out in the end. Having read the last page—and knowing that God is victorious in the... Read more
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