The gospel precept of charity enlightens Christians as to the deepest meaning of political life. Lately, I’ve been “working out my salvation with fear and trembling.” I’ve also been exploring the task of a Catholic layman in the political order. As I said in a previous post, politics generally isn’t my bag. It takes a lot of time, and basically leaves me unfulfilled. Surely I’m not alone in this regard. (more…) Read more
Is right here in the photograph of Time Magazine’s Person of the Year cover. The Associated Press has the skinny, NEW YORK (AP) — “The Protester” has been named Time’s “Person of the Year” for 2011. (more…) Read more
Today is the feast day of St. John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church. Born in 1542, he was a contemporary of St. Teresa of Avila and a practitioner of contemplative prayer. He is considered one of the foremost poets of Spain. And yet, it is said that he only wrote about 2500 lines of verse. He died on this date at the age of 49 in the year 1591. (more…) Read more
It’s put out by an outfit called SelectSmart.com, and I had no big surprise in what came back. I’ll tell you how I marked my answer sheet on the some of the questions too. Remember this cartoon from the 2008 Primaries? The past is prologue. (more…) Read more
I always liked Wyoming. During the summer between my junior and senior year of college, my wife and I traveled to Jackson Hole for a conference she was attending for work. White water rafting, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons…what’s not to like? (more…) Read more
So it’s the third week of Advent, where the “rose” (which looks like pink to me, but what do I know?) colored candle is lit up. As we remembered yesterday on Gaudete Sunday, guadete means “rejoice.” And certainly we want to do that at this time of year. But you know, the Musak has been driving us bonkers since Thanksgiving, playing the same old tired Christmas selections that the baby boomers love and remember. See the photograph above? Bullseye! (more…) Read more
There is definitely a “new top tier,” and the favorite of folks in the military, as well as one of the favorites of Catholic employees, is definitely in the race. Much to the chagrin of professional consultants and pollsters, I might add. (more…) Read more
“For Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity in Action at the Risk of Life, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty . . . ” As a kid growing up, I had a lot of daydreams floating through my head. Daydreams of Glory! The lines above (from the beginning of the citation for the Medal of Honor) would be read to throngs of adoring, thankful citizens as my exploits and heroic feats of daring-do and close-combat were read and celebrated throughout the... Read more
The photograph above is of Nyokodo, the small hut where Dr. Takashi Nagai and his children lived after his city was destroyed. Ian Higgins, and others from Major Oak Entertainment, spent 10 days in Nagasaki and environs interviewing folks, and filming scenes for the film about Dr. Nagai’s experience in the aftermath of that cataclysmic event. (more…) Read more
Johnny Cash and Jesus Christ share the initials “J.C.” Johnny Cash is an adopted son of my home state of Tennessee. Johnny Cash wrote a novel called Man in White, which I read as I began my journey to the Catholic Church. It is the story of the conversion of St. Paul, and it was so good that I couldn’t believe Johnny Cash wrote it. (more…) Read more
Why I Am Catholic
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