Back in the early 1980’s, during my first year at the seminary of St Mary of the Barrens in Perryville, Missouri, I experienced a week-long directed retreat.  The fruits of that retreat have remained with me, ebbing and flowing in my spiritual memory, over the years; but, this particular time of year brings the experience into much clearer focus for me. …

Even without photographs, I can still see my grandmother’s Christmas tree.  The image is enfolded in a peaceful blanket of consolation and joy that is hard to describe.  Large colored lights on green that burn and blur in calmness as my heart’s eye watches them. …

In the first reading of the Scripture for today’s celebration of the Immaculate Conception GN 3: 9-15, 20, we hear a recounting of perhaps the original biblical “blame game.”   Suddenly, after eating of the forbidden tree in the garden, Adam realizes he is “naked.” …

Recently, from another room at a friend’s house, I heard Leonard say, “I miss the mountains.”  I was immediately distracted from the conversation I was having and placed mentally somewhere “out West” in a National Park, hiking a trail, admiring nature, and talking loudly to ward off potential encounters with bears.  …

Today’s Scripture readings are as disturbing as they are consoling to me!  Luke (LK 19: 41-44) has Jesus describing violent destruction, killing and being encircled by your “enemies.”  Interestingly, the Scripture passage immediately prior to this describes Jesus’ celebrated entry into the holy city Jerusalem, where the excitement of the people, who saw him as a messiah sent to save them, prompted them to throw down their cloaks on the road before Him – hopes and dreams for a better life, a saved way of living –they chant!…