A New You for the New Year

I’m watching the Hallmark movie “Three Wise Men and a Baby,” (very appropriate as Epiphany approaches). This movie is refreshingly different from other Hallmark movies, which are often mocked for having the same plots and details: a move from the city to a small town, saving a building or employment, following a dream, resentment changing […]

Making the Best of Advent

Maybe like me you are being bombarded with helps to turn your Advent into a grace-filled season. Books, pamphlets, as well as podcasts, videos, and reflections emailed or sent to your site promise to accompany you during these three weeks. (We are cheated this year because the fourth week is only one day long.) My […]

Thoughts on Advent

Father Tom Weber gave this homily during Advent one year. I like the twist at the end. A couple of months ago, I went over to the Department of Motor Vehicles bureau in Mayfield Heights. I took a seat along the wall and after a while, a clerk asked me, “What are you waiting for?” […]

May, Mary, and the Rosary

During the past week on three occasions, people asked me about the rosary. On Saturday I was privileged to be at the Cleveland orchestra’s performance of a modern piece called “Mysteries of Light.” It had five movements, each one based on a luminous mystery of the Rosary. I’m taking these events as signs that my […]

Be at Peace: God’s in Control

The photo of the sunrise here was one I took from the balcony of my new apartment. The following reflection that came with the Daily Gospel email for Thanksgiving reminded me of it. (I subscribed to dailygospel.org.) May the Saint’s words touch your heart somehow. Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938) Spanish Trappist monk Spiritual writings, […]

Reconciliation and Peace

This week the world was focused on Nelson Mandela, the South African hero hailed as a master of reconciliation. He is a Christ figure, someone who is an image of Jesus Christ who is the Greatest Reconciler. During this Advent season we are preparing to celebrate the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem that initiated his […]

Saying “I’m Sorry”

The other day I explained to a postal clerk at the post office that a box I had mailed arrived empty. She curtly said, “There’s nothing you can do about it.” Period. Pursuing the matter, I spoke to an employee on the phone. Her first words were “I’m so sorry this happened to you.” What […]