Sunset
I was thinking earlier that it was here in this community that Franciscan Friars first lived in Cattaraugus County. Ellicottville, New York is more often thought of as a winter resort but it is one of the jewels of Western…
Merton’s Heart
Merton’s Heart is a hillside clearing just across the Allegany River south of the campus of St. Bonaventure University. It’s always a reflection point for me. Tonight proved to be no exception when I arrived on campus. A quick look…
The king shall rejoice
I have written often of Psalm 63. It is one of my favorites in the Bible. It is one written by King David when he was in the wilderness being pursued by Saul. Personal wildernesses come from time to time…
I’m really enjoying a new iPhone app called Instagram. Tonight when I was at Nannen Arboretum in nearby Ellicottville, New York I used Instagram to transform a lovely picture into one that appears a bit more surreal than it was.…
Nannen at dusk
Once again I’m sitting beside a pool of still water. Only the occasional croak of a frog breaks the silence. It’s almost dusk. It’s restful here and a great way to end a busy day that saw local temperatures in…
We are not saints
The following quote comes from a Quaker house of worship and it is prominently displayed in the library under the chapel at Mt. Irenaeus. I first saw it on a Sunday in the spring of 2000 and it still is…
Imagination
“Imagine a world where the representatives of the greatest military power on earth are humbled by an unarmed healer from the backwaters of Galilee. If you can imagine this kind of world, you possess … an imagination ready to discern…
The moon
Tonight after arriving home and exiting my car I looked up. The night sky was clear and glistened with stars, a quarter moon and at least one aircraft moving slowly with blinky lights from south to north. Tonight is one…
Incarnation Spirituality
This is one of my favorite articles on the Incarnation. When I first heard this about ten years ago it made sense to me. Prior to that time I had always felt ill at ease with other explanations of the…
The Little Flower
I came to Mass today feeling a bit under the weather but glad to get out if town for awhile. It has been two weeks since my last visit to the Mountain. I am really glad I came. At brunch…