“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
A few years ago I received an email from one of my brother friars. I thought would post its content again. The email raised the question – in the light of all the commercial sales and advertisements: Is Veterans Day really a holiday or is it a holy day? Continue reading
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. The Lateran Basilica in Rome is not the oldest church in Rome – that honor seems to belong to Santi Quattro Coronati (314); but then that depends on what sources you believe. Old St. Peter’s, the original church on the spot where the current St. Peter’s stands dates to 324, the same year as St. Lorenzo and St. John Lateran. Did you know that the Lateran Basilica is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome – the place from where the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, leads his diocese even as he leads the church universal. Continue reading
Late on a Sunday, after a long week and weekend of ministry, one’s mind turn to speculative whimsy. What would happen if you merged “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings”? One possibility is the following video (fair warning, if you are not familiar with both movie series, the following might make no sense)
A few years ago I purchased a used Subaru Outback. Given my history of buying and keeping a car for long periods and the reputation of the Outback, it will probably be the last car I ever have. (Note: being a Franciscan friar, the Province actually owns the vehicle, but it is in my care and use). The previous car (Toyota Scion) I drove for 12 years. The average ownership of an Outback exceeds 10 years…. so…. I am guessing I will not participate in the move to all electric cars. Continue reading
Several weeks ago there were massive flight cancellations on Southwest Airlines and then a while later American Airlines experienced similar widespread cancellations. Immediately people began to speculate if this was a reaction to corporate decisions for mandatory vaccinations – a “blue flu” epidemic as people began to call in sick. Cancellations and very long delays were the norm of two different holiday weekend. And why were only two airlines so largely affected? It is not as though this was the first weather event these two airlines had experienced.
Let’s return to one topic that always fascinates me: chaos. As mentioned in many other posts, mathematical chaos is not the randomness of a butterfly in China who flutters all the time, but on one occasion, the flutters give way to a tornado in Kansas – how random one might think. Such an event depends on the initial conditions in which the butterfly flutters (…. and why aren’t they called flutterbys?). Given the same initial conditions, the same tornado will predictably appear in Kansas. Continue reading
The gospel for today is one of those that is well-known and a bit confusing. It is the story of the “Dishonest Steward” (Luke 16:1-13; although today’s proclamation only goes to v.8). It resides in the same chapter of Luke with the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31). In between are a few verses about other matters. Both of the two main stories begin with reference to a “rich man.” There is a lot going on. If you would like to read a more detailed commentary, it can be found here. Continue reading
People ask me all kinds of questions. These days most questions are about parish life, Scripture, church history, theology, and the topics one would expect to receive when one works in a parish. This week another question has been asked: “How is it possible for a modern submarine to hit an underseas mountain? Don’t they have sonar?”
Brad Lendon has a well-written and concise article which answers the questions far better than I would have. The shorter answer is that the whole purpose of submarine is stealth. Sonar is a loud-speaker announcement “Here I am” and so its not used for routine navigation. But that leads to the question of “don’t submarines have maps?” We have charts, but as Lendon wrote: “Basically, the surface of the moon is better charted than the bottom of the ocean is.”
Continue readingLuke 15 is one of the most unique chapters in the Gospels in that it consists of three memorable parables: the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. Many commentators locate these three parables within a larger section of Luke that asks the question “who will participate in the reign of God?” (13:10-17:10). The section includes the foundational formation of the disciples – but often via the encounter with the Pharisees in which the assumptions of right relationship with God are put to the question. The Pharisees and others in the Jewish religious leadership assume folks such as tax collectors and sinners are outside the “faithful remnant” that awaits the return of the Messiah. At issue is the question of fellowship in the community of God’s people. Continue reading
“Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?” – words from today’s Gospel. Seems like good, practical advice. Still, it makes me think about several things.
If we wait until everything is perfectly planned before beginning a project, we would never get started. On one hand, one should know about the costs of following Jesus and not just “go along with the crowd”, but on the other hand, we don’t know exactly what “crosses” may be before us. Continue reading
Part of the blessing being a parish priest is that you are invited into some of the most intimate moments of a family’s life. There is perhaps none more intimate and intense than the moments when illness passes through uncertain diagnosis, to one which blurs into the final days of a life. It is part of a life of ministry to be into a family whose loved one’s days are numbered. It is a privilege to journey with the family are they prepare for the loss that surely and steadily this way comes. In those times, Hope can seem more tentative, more distant; perhaps hovering on the edge of disappointment. Continue reading
