Gossip has it that Cardinal Dolan is thinking of bringing back a more specific rule for Catholics: abstinence from meat on Fridays. The usual grumble about this is that it is not a penance to eat fish. Seafood is not only delicious, it’s can also be more of a luxury than meat. Where’s the penance in dining out at some high class seafood restaurant instead of the high class chophouse? The point is well made that the penance is not... Read more

The classical hymn “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” always makes me joke in the vestry before service, “There’s a Wildness in God’s Mercy” then during a dull moment in church I thought, “Truest words are spoken in jest. There is actually a wildness in God’s mercy.” What is ‘wildness’, well first thing I think of is unpredictability. I don’t know what’s coming next with God. In fact, whenever I think I do know what’s coming next I can be... Read more

Here’s how the conversation usually goes: Typical Catholic: “A married priest! Wonderful! I think they should all be allowed to get married!” FDL: “Well, I am so blessed to have a family and to be allowed to be ordained, and I’m glad you approve, but have you really thought this through?” TC: “What?” FDL: “Well, if a man is married and he and his wife are fertile they would have to be living by the teaching of the church right?”... Read more

…In my beautiful balloon. Do you remember that hokey song? American balloonist Jonathan Trappe plans to fly across the Atlantic with a cluster of helium balloons. Go here for a cool picture gallery. Read more

I keep remembering how, in the time of the Judges, the Israelites longed–yea lusted–for a king. They had God as their king–communicating through the judges and prophets. But no. They wanted a real King! They wanted a ruler. Something there is in people who want a savior. They want a Messiah. They want a Leader. They want an almighty king. What they really want is someone to solve their problems. They want a sugar Daddy. They’re big babies who want... Read more