(Image via Pixabay.) This heart-rending piece on the experience of depression and how to be compassionate to those who suffer. Michael J. Lichens writes: “If someone in your life is suffering mental anguish, I can tell you from experience what works and doesn’t work. Don’t try to cure them unless you are a doctor or a real wonder-worker, and for heaven’s sake do not try to tell them, “But how can you be depressed!” Instead, let them know that they do have a... Read more
(Image: Charlton Heston as Moses in The Ten Commandments, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.) My husband had a deprived childhood. During his childhood, he did not watch television very much. He would watch Dr. Who on PBS or a Godzilla film, but he has no fond memories of Reading Rainbow or whatever that hideous educational science program with the man dressed up like a flayed corpse was. He and his brother did not do what my siblings did, and pop microwave popcorn... Read more
(image via Pixabay) So I learned a few minutes ago that it is the 111th anniversary of the birth of Hans Urs von Balthasar. I don’t quite know how to offer an orderly tribute (where to begin? and further, where to stop?) – the following is what comes to mind. There are all sorts of learned (and some remarkably ignorant) things out there that might be said of him, so I encourage you to do your own supplemental research. One... Read more
(image via Pixabay) You all know by now that I’m a great lover of films, and of writing film reviews. But I haven’t been able to get to any films this summer because of my autoimmune condition and the heat. I’ve been re-watching things, watching TV with my daughter and re-visiting Mystery Science Theater 3000, which I absolutely love. And I have been keeping a running tally of laws affecting the film universe; here are my findings. Lava radiates no... Read more
(image via Pixabay) I called my friend a cow just a moment ago, and she was pleased. She wrote that she felt like the Canaanite woman, a dog eating crumbs from the table, when she goes to church. I feel the same way half the time. “No,” I said. “You’re not a dog. Remember when you told me you thought cows were beautiful? You’re one of those beautiful copper colored dairy milk cattle that give the richest cream and you shine... Read more
(image via Pixabay) If I were a fairy tale character, the magical skill I’d want more than anything else would be the ability to hide. Before haunting beauty, before unearthly grace, before a voice to charm birds out of the trees or an enchanted bow which does not easily miss, I would like the ability to hide. When situations get awkward, which they usually do, I want the ability to fade into the shadows like a magical rogue in a... Read more
(image via Pixabay) Today is the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki; we remembered the Hiroshima bombing days ago. If you’re like me, you’ve been in plenty of arguments in the past few days, over what our true motivation was for using nuclear weapons was and whether it was justified. Other bloggers have spoken more eloquently than I could about that topic. I do not have very much to add. I could type until my fingers fall off that... Read more
(Image via Pixabay.) Once, I got a ride home from Mass on a cold day with a nice older lady. She was chatting with me about her cats. She had only two official pet cats, you see, but she kept taking in strays. This town is infested with beautiful, healthy stray cats, cats where most similar neighborhoods have rats; cats which sneak into the disused coal chutes or open windows and take ownership of your house. This woman was not content to... Read more
(Transfiguration icon by Feophan the Greek, 15th Century) The Transfiguration icon was on display at church today; I’d never seen a Transfiguration icon before. I didn’t have much time to gaze, but the same icon was printed on our church bulletin, so I looked at it there as well. Here’s a copy of it that was public domain; it portrays the same thing in the same way. Look at it with me. There’s Jesus, clothes white as light, surrounded by... Read more
We here at Steel Magnificat are grateful for our readers and thank you for your time and support. Since it is easier to find and appreciate truth when we are able to rely on a diversity of voices and upon dialogue, this recurring feature invites our readers to look at some of the other voices here on Patheos Catholic Channel and the wider Patheos site. “Seek advice from every wise person and do not despise any useful counsel.” Tobit 4:18 First... Read more
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