One of the many things I love about St. Francis was the way he could follow the Gospel so completely and yet not judge others for their failures. He said: “I warn all the friars and exhort them not to condemn or look down on people whom they see wearing soft or gaudy clothes and enjoying luxuries in food...
Three nights ago, a pizza parlor owner was killed with a gun during a robbery in my neighborhood. This husband, and father of three small children, was building a unique business for himself. I was a loyal customer and fan of his unique pizzas. The shock and anger I feel as I type this has not subsided since...
St. Francis had a fear and abhorrence of lepers. One day, however, he met a man afflicted with leprosy while riding his horse near Assisi. Though the sight of the leper filled him with horror and disgust, Francis got off his horse and kissed the leper. Then the leper put out his hand, hoping to receive...
Since I’ve been a dad, I have looked at Father’s Day a bit differently. Although it’s always nice to be treated to the praise and gratitude of one’s children, along with the gifts (neckties included) and expressions of love, none of those things really hits the mark for...
Recently I left my Midwestern home to visit the South. There, the people spoke with their warm drawl and called me “ma’am,” and of course I ate wonderful food.
As I drove through the small towns, it struck me that every town had many churches of many Christian faiths. And yet there were...
According to Luke 23:46, Jesus’s last words were “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” This prayer is from verse 6 of Psalm 31.
The whole psalm could be used for a meditation on Jesus’s suffering and death on the cross. With the psalmist, Jesus could plead, “Be gracious to me, LORD, for I...
