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Revelation of the Magi; What We Have Always Known

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 9:29 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

In recommending Brent Landau’s Revelation of the Magi to others, I have called it “a fast read that makes the heart soar,” and the book is certainly that; the illustrations are fascinating and enlightening, and the prose-voice praising God is not just lyrical, it is hypnotically joyful. It is joyful in the language of ancient prophecy, joyful at a depth even the New Testament only glimpses; it is the sort of skin-tingling joyfulness one sometimes experiences in a flash-fleeting instant... Read more

The Deacon Has Landed!

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

For the past week he has been fussing with the decor, and now Deacon Greg Kandra has finally loaded the last box onto the trailer. As of now you can find The Deacon’s Bench (and eventually his straggling archives) at his new digs at Patheos (where, apparently, everyone knows your name!). Slide on over (it’s pretty icy out there!) and cozy up for a spell with an Irish Coffee and the good deacon. And don’t forget to change your bookmarks... Read more

"Are you a woman of God?" UPDATED

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

That’s the question Sr. Lisa Doty got from a kid in trouble: “Yes, I am,” I responded, “is there something I can do for you?” Looking down at his feet, he stammered, hardly audible, “I’m not sure what you can do, but I really could use your prayers.” He went on to explain how he had gotten into a lot of trouble at school, and as a result of it, he was expelled. Naturally, his folks are angry, and they... Read more

For Him: Make a Straight Path to Your Heart

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts. –St. Charles Borromeo All obstacles; what can they be? Ask the question and people’s first answers will always be: “my sinfulness, my stubbornness…” But the obstacles we place before His Majesty don’t always have to be what we would consider our negatives. Other obstacles to his presence might be the pride we take in our housekeeping, or our... Read more

And now…Bernadette! And Adele!

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Father James Martin graciously permits Patheos to excerpt a chapter of his wonderful book My Life With the Saints so that we can get to know St. Bernadette Soubirous, the unschooled French visionary who made the acquaintance of the Immaculate Conception: “In the Grotto of Massabieille” On a Friday evening during my first year as a Jesuit novice I wandered into the TV room to see what video was being served up. Television watching was a popular pastime for novices... Read more

"Hail, Full of Grace!" – UPDATED

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:00 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

The Annunciation by Waterhouse A little collection of links and videos appropriate to the Holy Day: Start with Deacon Greg, whose affection for Our Lady seems to have blossomed into one of his loveliest homilies: . . . one of the women said, “We’re Jewish, from up in Orange County, and we just don’t have anything like these [stained glass windows]. They’re just magnificent.” Well, she’s right. They are magnificent. But she was wrong about something else. The Jewish people... Read more

"Movin' On Up;" the Background!

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:01 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Deacon Greg Kandra–who is due to move The Deacon’s Bench over to Patheos on December 13–is busy hanging up bookshelves and making the place ready. As evidence of his excitement he’s posted the greatest TV-Theme song ever written. An interesting background story on that memorable song. If you remember the series Good Times, you may recall Ja’net Dubois being cast as Florida’s friend and neighbor, Willona. What most don’t realize is that Dubois, was an dis an accomplished musician and... Read more

Ants on Jesus & the Voice of One Man! UPDATED

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:01 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

My Tuesday Column is up over on the home page. Today I am looking at the “Ants on Jesus” story, and the reaction of Washington Post Art Critic Blake Gopnik to poor old Norman Rockwell, whose “art” he hates. (Gopnik likes the scare quotes. He uses them to describe the “hard work” of realism, too!) While I happen to agree with the notion that art, as free speech, should not be censored, I could not help but be struck by... Read more

Deacon Greg is Moving!

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:01 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

He talks about it here: After 15 happy months here at Beliefnet, and several weeks of hand-wringing and finger-drumming while I make up my mind, I’ve decided to pull up stakes and relocate “The Deacon’s Bench” to another site. Beginning next Monday, December 13th, you’ll find The Bench over at Patheos.com. You can get a sneak peek at this link. (Pardon the dust. It’s a work in progress. Once we hang some drapes and put down the rugs, it will... Read more

"Eve" by Madeleine L’Engle

Last updated on: March 9, 2017 at 10:01 pm By Elizabeth Scalia

Eve and Mary* by Sr. Grace Remington, O.C.S.O “Eve” When we left the garden we knew that it would be forever. The new world we entered was dark and strange. Nights were cold. We lay together for warmth, and because we were afraid of the unnamed animals, and of the others; we had never known about the giants, and angels gone wild. We had not been told of dwarves and elves; they teased us; we hid whenever they played. Adam... Read more

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