A more human society
The perils of isolation
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed many victims, beginning tragically with the death of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors. Some of its harms are more intangible but equally real. Precautions […]
Columns Archive
The Sunday Gospel
No attachment to sin or evil is greater than the power of God
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mark 1:21-28 The Book of Deuteronomy furnishes the first reading for this weekend. Deuteronomy appears in modern bibles as the fifth book in sequence in […]
Perspective
A new day and an offer to engage
Inauguration Day began with a private Mass of Thanksgiving held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, for the Biden family and congressional leadership. The inauguration itself started with an invocation […]
Perspective
When an obituary becomes a prayer
I’ve never had to write an obituary. I realize how fortunate that makes me. As a professional writer, I’ve imagined what it would be like to write one. Perhaps that’s […]
Perspective
An examination of identity
Recently I was on retreat for a week and was given the time to pray and to reflect on the year 2020 and to look forward to the future of […]
The Sunday Gospel
Jesus calls each of us to discipleship
Third Sunday In Ordinary Time Mark 1:14-20 The Book of Jonah is the source for the first reading. Scholars believe that it was written sometime after the Babylonian Exile of […]
Perspective
Exhaustion meets new beginnings
During these first weeks of the year 2021, I have spent a significant amount of time in conversation with colleagues, students, family and friends. We talk work, life, our children, […]
Perspective
Vox populi: The voice of the people
Francis Galton was a Victorian scientist with an interest in social Darwinism. It may have been his views on breeding that moved him to attend the West of England Fat […]
Perspective
Considering the danger of concussions
When I was a sophomore in college, I participated in a flag football league. Even though it was flag football, it got physical at times. If you could not pull […]
The Sunday Gospel
The Lord is calling us to be His disciples: How will you respond?
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time John 1:35-42 The First Book of Samuel is the source of the first reading for this weekend. Originally, First and Second Samuel were one volume. […]
Perspective
We need grace to succeed in our resolutions
I learned the act of contrition in second grade. Mrs. Tartamella would patiently practice with us every day. We’d go through the prayer line by line, and when we’d get to […]
Perspective
Stepping back from the brink
Jan. 6, 2021, was an epiphany of sorts for Americans who watched in horror as a mob breached the U.S. Capitol, assaulted police and vandalized offices. It was both shockingly […]