[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] In the Wilderness … The Wilderness is not where we want to be. Yet everyday finds us there with decisions to make. We are in the Wilderness today with bruises. We were kicked out of the Garden. Did we kick ourselves out? Anyway, we didn’t want to leave. But our friends betrayed us. There we were with all the powers one could ask for — and WHAM!, betrayal. We... Read more

[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] Again in the Wilderness … We were too smart for the Hill. The dream must have worn off. Now, in the Wilderness, we are tired and hungry. O soul, where art thou? Depression sinks in. It is lonely and arid in the Wilderness. We know that in the Garden there is an abundance of fulfilling things. In the Garden is fame, fortune, and power. In the Garden is sensual... Read more

[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] Again in the Garden … Sick. Having eaten so much of the Fruit of the Tree in the Garden — Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Avarice, and Sloth — we are sick. The Garden no longer seems so filled with light. We have once again discovered that the fruit which says “Come” speaks a lie. If this is so, what of the Tree on the Hill? It seems to... Read more

[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] Again in the Garden … From where we sit, in the Garden, we can see, off in the distance, the Hill, the Tree, and what appears to be a dying man hanging there. In the Garden, there is light. Yet, as far as we can see, the Hill looks dark and foreboding. Again, we listen to our soul which seems to long for the Hill. We begin to make... Read more

[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] Again in the Garden … The fruit that looked so wonderful, so inviting, eventually turned bitter in our bellies. It appealed to our eyes, tongues, and senses. And although our souls said “No,” we listened instead to our bodies. Now, with bellies full, we are still not satisfied. For once, we understand out soul’s definition of the fruits of the Garden’s tree: Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Avarice, and... Read more

I entered college in the fall of 1979. My family had always belonged to the Democratic party. I feared Ronald Reagan. I truly believed that his election meant the beginning of the end of the world. It was the Cold War. Everyone was a bit edgy. Back in the day, those of us in the dorm played a card game, Rook, every night. (Yes, Mom, every night.) There was a promising rock star who was a favorite on the dorm... Read more

[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] Again in the Wilderness … Our mouths are dry, our bellies empty. What shall we do to quench our thirst? To quell our appetites? To refresh our souls? We stare into the abundant garden. Our eyes receive a feast, our mouths and bellies cry out, “Yes!” And our soul must follow as our feet move toward the Garden. We are hesitant. Yet, remembering the vision of the Hill, our... Read more

[Meditations are intended to be read sequentially, from 1 to 33.] Let us travel into the Wilderness … Ahead, through the blinding, haze, nothing appears. All is naught, all is night. To our left is a garden, an oasis of calm tranquility. It is a beautiful garden. In the middle of the garden stands a tree. It is the most beautiful tree — tall and strong with abundant fruit. Ahead is the Wilderness. To our left, the Garden. When we... Read more

At present, before the day of judgment comes, even though the Spirit cannot dwell within those who are unworthy, He nevertheless is present in a limited way with those who have been baptized, hoping that their conversion will result in salvation. – St Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit In Flannery O’Connor’s short story, The Peeler, the main character, Hazel Motes, is on a journey. It’s a spiritual journey which he has confused as a carnal tour. Along the... Read more

This is a tragic story … worth reading (especially for fathers). WARNING: graphic details! Follow up story. Read more