Category Archives: Musings

St. Sebastian

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Today’s liturgical possibilities include an optional memorial for St. Sebastian who is the patron saint of athletes. Relatively little is known about St. Sebastian, a Christian martyr of the 3rd century. It is believed that he was an officer in the imperial bodyguard and Christian, but not openly so. When his faith was discovered the Diocletian, the Roman emperor, sentenced him to death. Sebastian was tied to a tree, executed by archers and left for dead. However, he had not died. He was found alive and nursed back to health. When at last he was able, he publicly announced his faith, denounced Diocletian for his persecution of Christians, and for this was martyred as he was beaten to death by the emperor’s guard. It is his virtues and gifts of strength, stamina, perseverance, courage and justice in the face of adversity and a superior opponent – and yet he gave his all.

The readings from today’s Mass include optional readings in celebration of the saint. The first reading is from the first letter of St. Peter and includes the following admonition:

Always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope,
but do it with gentleness and reverence (1 Pt 3:15)

Are you ready?

About Wickedness

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The first reading today is the story of King Saul of Israel, jealous of David’s rising popularity and fame, is trying to hunt down the young David and kill him, lest David become the king by popular demand. In the realm of power politics, David has his chance there in the cave to resolve the conflict, become king and turn the page of this story of intrigue. His followers are telling him to make the best of the opportunity that God has clearly laid at his feet! But David reminds himself: “The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’”  Clearly David is someone steeped in the Word of God and would be aware of the history of wickedness. Continue reading →

A Question of Dromedaries and Black Holes

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Note: in today’s reflection I used the readings from the Memorial of St. Anthony the Abbot rather than the Daily Readings. The Gospel for the Memorial is taken from Matthew’s account of the rich young man asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. 27 years ago I was a missionary in Kenya, on retreat, and wrote a reflection on Mark’s version of the same story. Enjoy. Continue reading →

A day in the life

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In a post yesterday, I posted a winter beach picture from the Gulf of Mexico at Clearwater Beach – somewhat pining for the balmy breezes and amazing winter skylines in Florida. I probably needed the warm thoughts and memories.  Here is a picture from today:

A burial/interment at Quantico National Cemetery…just a day in the life.  A cold day, but a good day.

What I Miss

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The above photograph was taken by Holly Baumann of Clearwater, FL and appeared in their local newspaper (Tampa Bay Times).  I miss hanging out at the beach, especially in the off season when some of the most amazing weather fronts move into the area. As I write this, here in Northern Virginia we are expecting snow. The plows and salt trucks are at the ready. Alas, salt is for the ocean…. 😦

A thought from St. Ignatius of Antioch

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Ignatius was was an early Christian writer and Patriarch of Antioch. While en route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters. Here is a short excerpt from his letter to the Ephesians:

These are the beginning and the end of life: faith the beginning and love the end. When these two are found together, there is God and everything else concerning right living follows from them. No professing faith sins; no possessing love hates.

A thought for the day.

Image credit: Pexels

The culinary arts

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A Michelin Star is awarded to culinary institutions offering outstanding cooking. They take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.  A culinary institution can receive as many as 3 starts in the Michelin Guide. Continue reading →

Taking the Plunge

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I can remember coming home from 3+ years of mission in Kenya, friends were driving me home, and as we wound through trees, I could see the porch light on at my home in the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Even from afar, it shone like a welcoming beacon. It was the sign I am home in a place I have always belonged. It is the same moment we have seen on the evening news, in newspapers, on-line in the experience of our men and women serving overseas in foreign lands. Coming home writ large is the heavy bags dropped on the tarmac, the faces of unbridled joy, parents sweeping up children in their arms, a loved one embraced, and the moment they know: I am home. Continue reading →

Testimony and Witness

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The Gospel of John is perhaps the most subtle of all the gospels with layers of meaning and nuance that can be overlooked in just the daily readings. Today’s gospel starts at John 1:43, but interestingly it leaves out the opening words (underlined): “The next day [Jesus] decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Granted “the next day” is not needed for this pericope/snippet from the longer narrative, but if you have been reading along you’ll have noticed this is not the first occurrence of “the next day.” Continue reading →