Nothing is more annoying than being correctly judged, even in a small way. A broad or inexact hatchet thrown at one’s defects often just-misses the target, but a tiny arrow of truth, aimed and fired at precisely the most tender spot within the conscience, can devastate. It is as discomfiting as a poppy seed caught in one’s bridgework. You can try to ignore it, but you know its there, and you also know if you don’t address it — if... Read more
My column at First Things looks at two stories from last week — one grievous, and one glad — and how, amid the mysteries contained within each, some people could only be miserable: The immediate responses seemed like reasonable ones: The plight of a family facing a wound of such depth would naturally evoke empathetic sadness in others, and our human need to feel empowered in dreadful circumstances fueled an impressively-answered fundraiser meant to defray the costs of emergency airlifts,... Read more
It was mere moments after Pope Benedict XVI left the balcony after pronouncing his first blessing as pope, and I perfectly recall the insta-drama-queening that commenced: E.J. Dionne described himself as “petrified” of what a Pope Ratzinger might bring. Sr. Joan Chittister suggested that Benedict was so retrograde he represented the theology of the 13th century, and predicted, “[if women are not allowed ordination] . . . we’re going to lose an entire generation of young women and we’re going... Read more
It is a great pleasure to announce that we’ve gone “international” with the creation of a new blog here at Patheos Catholic. “Inebriate Me” is hosted by Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry (or as everyone on Twitter and Facebook knows him, “PEG”), who is writing from Paris. The blog’s title is, of course, the prayerful plea that is part of the Anima Christi, often mistakenly credited to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and PEG brings a taste for Ignatian spirituality to his blog, where... Read more
Around here we love Joseph Susanka and his Summa This, Summa That blog, because in a world that sometimes challenges us to find authentic charm or a touch of wonder amid all the dross, Joseph reliably “brings the pretty.” So it was all the worse, yesterday, that it was Joseph who shared some ugly, tragic news within social media: Two young girls were killed in a car crash Tuesday morning on Highway 789 between Hudson and Lander. Olivia and Emma... Read more
Well, this young man, Brian Hull, is very gifted! I hope he gets some great work out of this: Having creative kids, myself, I really appreciate the work that goes into honing his craft. And I love the obvious joy he is taking in it. And what an age we live in! One video can make a career! Read more
The email was a cry from the heart from someone who really wanted to do the right thing: Dear Anchoress, I was asked to teach CCD to third graders making their First Reconciliation and First Communion. I am not a teacher. . .but having coached CYO (10-12-year-olds), and also having children (now adults), I agreed. I have been trying since September to “get into it.” I prepare each week, sometimes for over a few hours. There are eleven kids in... Read more
:::UPDATE:::: GOAL REACHED! Applaud yourselves for the hand you’ve had in a creative endeavor! :::END UPDATE::: Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they... Read more
Actually, he calls it the The Best. Soda Bread. Ever. The recipe also received a thumbs up from this blogger I don’t even know, so that’s nice. Irish Soda Bread is really nothing more than a delicious butter-delivery-system. Since I’ve just taken a batch from the oven, I figure it’s time to share my mother-in-law’s recipe, once again: 4 c sifted flour 1 1/2 tsps baking soda 1 tsp salt 3/4 c sugar 1 c raisins (or cranberries for a... Read more
Possibly, in visiting our channel’s landing page, you have noticed a new thumbnail on the left side, one that suggests this image: That would be the banner of a new blog by Jennifer Fitz, who wants her readers to “Live it like you mean it” — it being the faith, of course, but knowing Jen, I think she also means every aspect of our lives: marriage, illness, parenting, work — live it all like you mean it. Between living her... Read more
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