Life Lessons

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs who arranged a climbing competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants. The race began. No one in the crowd really believed the tiny frogs … Read more

In touch with suffering

When you are in touch with the suffering in the world, it is so easy for despair to overwhelm you. But we do not need to be drowned by despair. Throughout the war in Vietnam young people easily became the victims of despair because the war went on for so long and it seemed it … Read more

Thomas Merton Reflection

“Do not be too anxious about your advancement in the ways of prayer, because you have left the beaten track and are traveling by paths that cannot be charted and measured. Therefore leave God to take care of your degree of sanctity and of contemplation. If you yourself try to measure your own progress you … Read more

La Posada

I went to Mass this morning at Mt. Irenaeus. I wasn’t going to go. I was kind of bummed out. Our daughter went back to college yesterday. Our son has gotten a position in a nearby city and has his own apartment now. This is just a part of life, but it can be painful … Read more

Soaring

Yesterday I left home with no particular destination in mind. On my way to nowhere I visited Dansville, New York and the Finger Lakes Soaring Club. The club sent me a brochure in April or May and yesterday was the day I finally visited their facility. I think I’m going to take a ride in … Read more

Book Meme

Jeff tagged me for a book meme. I had to ask him for assistance. He obliged and here goes. A Book that changed my life. Actually there have been a couple of books that changed the direction of my life. One of them is “Seven Storey Mountain.” I read it at a time when my … Read more

Nurenberg prosecutor speaks

Which wars should be prosecuted? “Every war will lead to attacks on civilians,” he said. “Crimes against humanity, destruction beyond the needs of military necessity, rape of civilians, plunder–that always happens in wartime. So my answer personally, after working for 60 years on this problem and [as someone] who hates to see all these young … Read more

Fully alive

I really like Tiger Woods. Does anyone not see the glory of God in the way this young man plays golf. This video comes from Google Video and it’s quite entertaining. How many times does Tiger bouce the ball on his club head before hitting it. St. Irenaeus said that, “The glory of God is … Read more

Illegitimi non carborundum

“Don’t let the bastards get you down,” that’s the translation of today’s title. This tidbit was shared by Fr. Lou McCormick, OFM my spiritual adviser and good friend. Today was one of those days where the bastards were winning temporarily and I was letting it get me down. Now, at the close of the day … Read more

Build a better world

“Those who seek to build a better world without God are those who, trusting in money, power, technology and organization, deride the spiritual strength of faith and love and fix all their hopes on a huge monolithic society, having a monopoly over all power, all production, and even over the minds of its members. But … Read more