The Dude Abides

Last updated on: February 13, 2010 at 6:08 pm By Cathleen Falsani

GODSTUFF A THOUGHT FOR LENT:DISCOVERING GRACE IN THE PAGES OF PLAYBOY I must be an acrobat To talk like this And act like that — U2, “Acrobat” I am not now, nor have I ever been a subscriber to Playboy magazine. I have, however, been to the Playboy mansion. Once.It was about five years ago and I was there to interview Hugh Hefner — about God. Now I realize that the Playboy mansion is an unlikely spot to go looking... Read more

Last updated on: February 9, 2010 at 11:21 pm By Cathleen Falsani

GODSTUFF AVATAR IS EPIC. A SPIRITUAL MASTERPIECE? NO. James Cameron’s Avatar is a game-changer. Visually and science-fictionally epic. A technological masterpiece. But is it also a spiritual masterpiece, as some critics have suggested? Avatar takes place on Pandora, a technicolor primal rainforest teeming with dinosaur-like creatures, bugs and beasts, and magical flora that one critic described as “the garden of Eden, but with teeth.” The hero, a young marine called Jake, is accepted into the local indigenous culture... Read more

Last updated on: February 3, 2010 at 6:53 am By Cathleen Falsani

It’s the pilgrimage, stoopid. I was thirteen… 1983. From REM’s album, Murmur. Read more

Last updated on: January 28, 2010 at 11:31 pm By Cathleen Falsani

Elegy. “There is very evidently one rather terrible hallmark common to all persons who look for God, and apparently with enormous success, in the queerest imaginable places – e.g., in radio announcers, in newspapers, in taxicabs with crooked meters, literally everywhere. (My brother, for the record, had a distracting habit, most of his adult life, of investigating loaded ashtrays with his index finger, clearing all the cigarette ends to the sides – smiling from ear to ear as he did... Read more

Last updated on: January 26, 2010 at 5:42 pm By Cathleen Falsani

Sidewalk epiphanies? A reader sent me this photo on my Facebook fan page yesterday. I don’t know the reader personally (the post was sent by what appears to be an anonymous FB account) but I do appreciate the love. Apparently the reader who calls him/herself “Joey Pukelles” was aggrieved by my less than ceremonious departure from the pages of the Chicago Sun-Times earlier this month and, armed with pink chalk, expressed his or her feelings on the sidewalk outside the Sun-Times... Read more

Last updated on: January 22, 2010 at 4:38 am By Cathleen Falsani

GODSTUFF Samskara Rainwater, found water Feeds the weeds, Choking blossoms, fruit, vines That climb and reach for light. Pull and tug, forget the fertilizer and the Topsoil. Found water gives life, accidentally On purpose. Starve them, turn out the light, make them Thirst for found water and Find none. Sip the found water. Capture it in a calabash, a new wineskin, upturned palms. Sip the wine, the miracle of living water Found where the well was dry. Be... Read more

Last updated on: January 21, 2010 at 6:50 pm By Cathleen Falsani

Jim Wallis is a rock star. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Jim Wallis www.thedailyshow.com Daily ShowFull Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis Listen to this man.He’s on to something. Read more

Last updated on: January 18, 2010 at 4:41 am By Cathleen Falsani

For Carlos. Carlos Hernandez Gome blessed me with his friendship.A sweeter, kinder soul I’ve never known.Rest well in the arms of Jesus tonite, Papi.I love you. ]] Read more

Last updated on: January 15, 2010 at 9:30 pm By Cathleen Falsani

GODSTUFF THE WEARY KIND: ONE JOURNEY ENDS, ANOTHER BEGINS We love a redemption story. The profound appeal of rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches or the fall-from-grace-followed-by-a-spectacular-comeback is about as ingrained in our American psyche (and soul) as rooting for the underdog, generosity to those in distress and second chances. When I walked into the movie theater earlier this week for an 11 a.m. show of the new film “Crazy Heart,” I was expecting to love it. I am a diehard Jeff Bridges fan (he... Read more

Last updated on: January 15, 2010 at 5:19 pm By Cathleen Falsani

Talk amongst yourselves … While I get my last two columns in sharable shape, a reader sent me the above video.Thanks, Scott. Maggie’s FarmBy Bob Dylan I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.No, I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.Well, I wake in the morning,Fold my hands and pray for rain.I got a head full of ideasThat are drivin’ me insane.It’s a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor.I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s... Read more