A Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah: In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above. They cried one to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke.... Read more
We had a bit of weather in Steubenville. It started Wednesday night with rain that washed much of the old snow away. When I woke up on Thursday it was still raining, and then it got colder. The water slowly froze as it struck any surface: grass, trees, cars, all were glazed like cakes. It was beautiful, if inconvenient. Afetr awhile I didn’t hear precipitation at all, and thought it had stopped, but it hadn’t. For a moment it snowed.... Read more
It wasn’t until after evening Mass on Sunday that I noticed the house was getting unusually cold. It wasn’t until later that I admitted to myself that turning up the thermostat wasn’t working. It was eleven o’clock at night when I heard the hum of the furnace fan, not blowing any air. It sounded a bit like a kazoo. I put on my coat because the basement is drafty, and I went down to the cellar to investigate. There... Read more
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Jesus began speaking in the synagogue, saying: “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we... Read more
The darkest part of the year is not a good time. I’ve already said a hundred times that I suffer from anxiety, as a symptom of trauma and of my PCOS. I’d like to say I’m used to it, but the fact is, anxiety does not allow you to get used to it. That’s the whole point. It never feels like the same old thing; every single time, it feels like for once the fear is all really merited.... Read more
Yesterday, I was talking with my facebook friends about the things I was learning about the Sword of the Spirit community. We all know I grew up in and out of several toxic and cultlike Catholic sects, including a stint in the Charismatic Renewal. It’s not exactly fun to talk about, but it’s cathartic to banter with other people who have been through similar things. My friend Angela said “I think we need a PSA campaign warning people that if... Read more
I want to talk a little about the difference between a cult and a healthy religious practice. Sometimes it can be hard to tell which is which, especially since cults never call themselves cults. They always call themselves something else. And both a cult and a healthy religious practice can involve foreswearing behaviors that people outside your group think are acceptable. They can involve spending a lot of time with the same group of people. They certainly have a... Read more
Dear Ohio: We need to talk. I know that you’ve got a bit of an identity crisis going on. I don’t blame you. I’ve lived here all my life and I understand it’s complicated. You are essentially three modern cities in a trench coat, and the trench coat is an endless expanse of agrarian nightmares straight out of a Faulkner novel. There is Cleveland, there is Cincinnati, there is Columbus, and there is Yoknapatawpha county. It’s difficult to remember... Read more
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke: Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you... Read more
It seems that the March for Life cannot go even one year without a controversy. As the Washington Post’s Michelle Boorstein reported on Twitter, about forty members of the white supremacist hate group Patriot Front showed up at the March for Life, with their masks and shields, and tried to participate in the protest. They marched with the marchers on Constitution Avenue, chanting “Strong families! Strong nation!” and surrounded by a tight protective ring of police officers the whole time.... Read more
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