“For as long as humans have walked, they have walked to get closer to their gods.” The words appear on top of a PBS website in white upon a black background—an over-simplified truth, smacking with arrogant certitude. At least that’s the way it feels to me when I stare at the screen just a few days after returning from pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James, in Northern Spain. “For as long as humans have walked, they have... Read more
Allow me to tell you a story. A few years ago, I went through the worst period of my life so far, a time of personal suffering that I pray to God I never will have to through again. A painful divorce resulted in a move away from my children so that I could get a job that would cover their insurance. I gave up friends and a sixteen year career as a Presbyterian minister to enter the Catholic Church.... Read more
My mind makes that leaping turn again into the memory of myself as boy, his face inches from an old black and white screen in the 50’s, pulled in by the sharp edge of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s probing voice. Read more
I don’t think we should look solely to the church for our definitions of God. If God is greater than our ideas of God, then God can’t be limited by a sermon. Enter the artists–the left-brained individuals who paint the world differently than most, in words, in color, in music. The conference Sick Pilgrim is co-hosting in June at Notre Dame will give us all the opportunity to pay attention to how artists are Trying to Say God. Not just writers, but... Read more
Ostensibly, I created all my social media accounts to keep in touch with friends and family. Increasingly, however, platforms that were once about sharing pictures and keeping in touch are also the means by which I receive wave after wave of bad news. I’ve digitally surrounded myself with the socially concerned, and the world is a mess. In our gospel reading this Sunday, we find two disciples whose situation seems similar. “That very day, the first day of the week,... Read more
Lent is over, and Easter is here. The time for mourning and sacrificing is over. The Church invites us into the season of celebration. After the pain and utter defeat at Calvary, He is risen. Alleluia, alleluia. If you’re like me though, it’s not quite as easy as that. I wouldn’t call it “pessimistic”; it’s not that simplistic. I’m just a little leery to expect undiluted joy. And I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way. Rather... Read more
I was hospitalized twice for a total of 28 days in a period of 38 days for bipolar depression. When I reveal this, Christians tend to give me one of two responses: “Oh, that’s great!” What the hell? Oh, yeah, I forgot; how good of God to direct me to a safe place in his care. How careless of me to not think of that. Or a look of sympathy. Great. You’ll probably pray for me, too. Thanks. When I was in the hospital,... Read more
“Did You ever know loneliness, did You ever know need? Do You remember just how long a night can get? When You were barely holding on and Your friends fall asleep And don’t see the blood that’s running in Your sweat Will those who mourn be left uncomforted While You’re up there just playing hard to get?” – from “Hard to Get” by Rich Mullins I wish it were only a sick pilgrim thing, trying to find the... Read more
(Two alerts. This review talks about rape, bullying and suicide. It also contains a lot of spoilers for the TV show and book, 13 Reasons Why.) One of the terrible beauties of Holy Week is an invitation to not only enter the sufferings of Christ, but through our union with Him, be united with others in their suffering. This is not something we do willingly or embrace gladly. And, there are many areas of suffering we don’t wish to enter... Read more
You have my whole heart. You always did. —Cormac McCarthy, The Road Imagine for a moment the greatest love of your life. Your beloved. This person is the center of your existence, a person who makes you feel truly alive. Before you met your beloved, you were anxious, distracted, frail, broken. But now in your emerging love, you feel strong. You feel alive. You don’t know what you were experiencing before, but it wasn’t this. This person has helped... Read more
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