In today’s gospel, Jesus talks about the light of our faith, to not keep it hidden. A lighted candle has its proper place – not under a basket, but in the lamp stand where it can provide light to the room, so too our faith has a place in the world, not hidden away, but on display for all to see. The gospel continues: “For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.” Continue reading
Historically, humans have always formed tribes, clans, and eventually cities, nations, and empires, driven by the need for cooperation, structure, and survival. It’s a natural part of human development. It serves as a way of managing resources, cooperation, and conflict. This tendency stems from both biological and psychological needs, including survival, security, and social bonding. Continue reading
As you know (…or don’t know), September 19th is “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” A day largely consisting of talking like a pirate throughout the course of the day. To that end, this particular post is offering you a short lesson in the key phrases and their etymology – all to better prepare you for the celebration….arrgh! Continue reading
On this day in 1787 delegates to the Continental Congress adopted the US Constitution!
Whether it is a business meeting, a social gathering, a volunteer organization planning meeting or any number of similar situations – and you discover you are not invited. Our reactions vary depending on our expectations, track record on previously having been included, and a host of other instincts, hopes and fears. Our reaction oscillates between wounded pride and hopeful humility, between wondering “did I do something wrong” and “what could they possibly be thinking,” and a whole collection of other free-ranging reactions. Continue reading
What drives you? What is your passion? What are the parts of your life that are intrinsic to who you are? This is more than a question of identity. I am a Catholic priest, a Franciscan friar, a Naval Academy graduate, former nuclear submariner, and the list can go on. You have your own list of attributes by which people might identify you. But are any one of these the passion that drives you when everyone else stops? Continue reading
Long a fan of Flannery O’Connor, I recently came across this article by Lauren Meyers. It was originally published on the Word on Fire website. Enjoy.
Tattoos are on the rise in the United States. A recent Pew survey showed that 33 percent of Americans have at least one tattoo, and 41 percent of people under the age of thirty have been inked. The industry is projected to grow immensely over the next few years, and workplaces commonly accept visible tattoos in their dress codes. The trend begs the question: why are people flocking to this formerly taboo practice? Continue reading
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.” (Luke 6:12)
Over the years I have read many and varied interpretations of this single verse that reflect a rich diversity of thought within Christian theology rooted in various theological perspectives and contexts. The focus of thought hinges on the meaning/understanding of “poor” and “Kingdom of God.” Is it a literal promise to the economically poor? Perhaps it is a spiritual call to humility. Some offer its understanding as a prophetic vision for social justice. For others its primary meaning centers or eschatological hope. Perhaps the one overlap is that most understandings emphasize God’s concern for those who are marginalized, humble, or oppressed. Continue reading
Today’s first reading from the 1st Letter to the Corinthians, a book we have been following since last Friday’s readings. A fundamental question Paul is asking the Corinth community is this: are you choosing the Wisdom of men or the Wisdom of the Cross? St. Paul makes it clear that the Cross is not something to which one may add human wisdom and thereby make it superior; rather, the cross stands in absolute, uncompromising contradiction to human wisdom – all part of God’s wisdom and folly. Continue reading
Today’s first reading from St. Paul is part of a cohesive thought that he has been building upon since the beginning of this 1st Letter to the Corinthians (which began with Friday’s readings and continues for about three weeks.) It all began after Paul left the Corinth community for new evangelizing opportunities. He received a letter from a believer named Chloe who reports problems in the community: there is quarreling in the community all carried on in the name of “wisdom” and some associated boasting about who possessed wisdom and the exact nature of the wisdom. We are picking up the conversation-in-progress, but let me offer that the major point St, Paul has already made is: Are you choosing the Wisdom of men or the Wisdom of the Cross (1:18–2:5)? Continue reading
friarmusings 