Evergreen is the virtue and strength of hope.
We all need hope.
A bit or more.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Chemical Weapons in Syria
Ghastly and horrific that humans treat each other so cruelly!
Clergy, among others need to stand up now...together in solidarity.
Do it...YOU lead now!
Syria merits our help and support.
Clergy, among others need to stand up now...together in solidarity.
Do it...YOU lead now!
Syria merits our help and support.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Acceptance of the 'Bad' Spirals More
Accept criminal behavior and it grows.
It grows like a cancer. It does.
The appetite for more of the same bad behavior, for example, spirals into more and more.
Enforcement of law is key if unlawfulness, let alone unethical and immoral ways are to be thwarted.
The Good Book gives ten commandments. Ms. Manners tells of how to behave with courtesy, and, the "courtliness" of Francis of Assisi, Italy.
Like a pebble that causes waves in a pond of water, so moves bad, and, for that matter, good conduct.
Principles and people who observe them are key to a fully functioning society that aims for the 'right' and the just ways.
As America teeters without common decency and respect for law, the dark side and shadows abound.
The time is now to "Give Please A Chance," as Bill O'Riley writes, striving to restore a nation that has lost its way with politeness and holding high the dignity of each human being occupying space with God's creation.
It grows like a cancer. It does.
The appetite for more of the same bad behavior, for example, spirals into more and more.
Enforcement of law is key if unlawfulness, let alone unethical and immoral ways are to be thwarted.
The Good Book gives ten commandments. Ms. Manners tells of how to behave with courtesy, and, the "courtliness" of Francis of Assisi, Italy.
Like a pebble that causes waves in a pond of water, so moves bad, and, for that matter, good conduct.
Principles and people who observe them are key to a fully functioning society that aims for the 'right' and the just ways.
As America teeters without common decency and respect for law, the dark side and shadows abound.
The time is now to "Give Please A Chance," as Bill O'Riley writes, striving to restore a nation that has lost its way with politeness and holding high the dignity of each human being occupying space with God's creation.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Fall Feeling
It overcame me as I drove to the library earlier this evening.
Fall.
Fallish feelings.
Overcast with darkened skies and...feelings that Fall is coming now that the official Labor Day close of Summer has settled in all around us.
It is hard to describe but it is a reality.
It is.
Summer faded fast this year, it seems.
It did.
Or, I am getting older and time is passing quickly.
Welcome fallish feeling, my friend!
Fall.
Fallish feelings.
Overcast with darkened skies and...feelings that Fall is coming now that the official Labor Day close of Summer has settled in all around us.
It is hard to describe but it is a reality.
It is.
Summer faded fast this year, it seems.
It did.
Or, I am getting older and time is passing quickly.
Welcome fallish feeling, my friend!
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Building Bridges
Imagine that.
People like the Ambassador Bridge. And the MacArthur Bridge that extends from Jefferson Avenue at E. Grand Boulevard across the Detroit River.
Bridges.
Builders of bridges among one another, also. Brides and Grooms, for example, use communication to get what is on one's mind and heart into the ears and mind of the fiance', to illustrate my point.
Race, class and gender often serve as obstacles, however, to effective and clear communicating among people.
Take down those walls, one may say. As in 'London Bridges' and the words that I can't recall this moment. 'They all fall down..." are words in that piece of poetry somewhere, if only I could remember.
Some American may cause barriers between one's self and others by resenting the loss of privilege, supremacy, and the feeling of being dominated by another class, for example.
Here at home, and, abroad, politicians have stirred up xenophobic, even Islamophobic sentiments to prevent refugees from getting asylum from Syria or Iraq.
Even markers make the point about an imperfect bridge: "Bridge may be icy before road." Still a bridge, however, the slippery spots may cause trouble, or, even an accident.
Lamenting how one may be treated is key to building rapport with others. Repair and restoration opens doors to solutions for better relationships with one and all.
That all begins at home. Children are taught, carefully taught, the poets Oscar and Hammerstein note.
People like the Ambassador Bridge. And the MacArthur Bridge that extends from Jefferson Avenue at E. Grand Boulevard across the Detroit River.
Bridges.
Builders of bridges among one another, also. Brides and Grooms, for example, use communication to get what is on one's mind and heart into the ears and mind of the fiance', to illustrate my point.
Race, class and gender often serve as obstacles, however, to effective and clear communicating among people.
Take down those walls, one may say. As in 'London Bridges' and the words that I can't recall this moment. 'They all fall down..." are words in that piece of poetry somewhere, if only I could remember.
Some American may cause barriers between one's self and others by resenting the loss of privilege, supremacy, and the feeling of being dominated by another class, for example.
Here at home, and, abroad, politicians have stirred up xenophobic, even Islamophobic sentiments to prevent refugees from getting asylum from Syria or Iraq.
Even markers make the point about an imperfect bridge: "Bridge may be icy before road." Still a bridge, however, the slippery spots may cause trouble, or, even an accident.
Lamenting how one may be treated is key to building rapport with others. Repair and restoration opens doors to solutions for better relationships with one and all.
That all begins at home. Children are taught, carefully taught, the poets Oscar and Hammerstein note.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Father Hamel Murdered at Mass
Toward the end of his morning Mass last week, the 84-year-old French priest Father Jacques Hamel, was murdered. Ever since, that priest has been on my mind, in my heart, and in my prayer.
I wondered why. And, I could only conclude that Father made the ultimate sacrifice with his life.
When I was ordained four decades ago, little did I think that the life of a priest could be taken in such a horrific way.
All I know is that the life of a priest is one called to the service of love that alone triumphs. No hate, anger, or protestation defines the ultimate sacrifice one may may make sooner or later. Only love can do that.
This priest's sacrifice shows that the love of Jesus took on human flesh and the incarnation of God.
Father was a witness to love, to forgiveness, and to surrendering life, for sure.
While much of the world seems unsure of what to do in the face of so many murdered people, the lone answer seems to be love.
I wondered why. And, I could only conclude that Father made the ultimate sacrifice with his life.
When I was ordained four decades ago, little did I think that the life of a priest could be taken in such a horrific way.
All I know is that the life of a priest is one called to the service of love that alone triumphs. No hate, anger, or protestation defines the ultimate sacrifice one may may make sooner or later. Only love can do that.
This priest's sacrifice shows that the love of Jesus took on human flesh and the incarnation of God.
Father was a witness to love, to forgiveness, and to surrendering life, for sure.
While much of the world seems unsure of what to do in the face of so many murdered people, the lone answer seems to be love.
Monday, July 18, 2016
Up Close and Personal
When asked about being a priest, I am quick to reply:
"It wasn't my idea!"
Really, it wasn't!
My parents supported every course the seven of my siblings walked. None were their ideas. Yet, my dear mom and dad were practical people who passed on the values they each cherished.
Service i8s embedded in my DNA, so to speak, and, in my bones because of my dad and mom.
Other people's ideas work best for me. Todazy, I walk tall given that I learned God's Way as the happy and peaceful path.
For sure.
"It wasn't my idea!"
Really, it wasn't!
My parents supported every course the seven of my siblings walked. None were their ideas. Yet, my dear mom and dad were practical people who passed on the values they each cherished.
Service i8s embedded in my DNA, so to speak, and, in my bones because of my dad and mom.
Other people's ideas work best for me. Todazy, I walk tall given that I learned God's Way as the happy and peaceful path.
For sure.
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