There is a Chinese Parable of the Farmer that seems extra relevant right now: “Once there was a Chinese farmer who worked his poor farm together with his son and their horse. When the horse ran off one day, neighbors came to say, “How unfortunate for you!” The farmer replied, “Maybe.” When the horse returned, […]
A couple years ago I was on a climbing trip at the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. My climbing partner and I were making an attempt to summit the iconic mountain. The hiking approach just to get to the saddle is a physical feat of its own and takes a good amount of time. […]
We’re big fans of Mister Rogers in our house. We’ll often watch an episode as a family to wind down at the end of the day. So, in these uncertain and stress-filled times, where everything seems to be a mess, his voice has become a calming sound in the midst of all the noise. One […]
“Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” In this week’s Gospel, the disciples seem very confused, even distraught, when Jesus says he will be leaving to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. They do not understand, and how are we to blame them, when […]
As my world finally slowed down this Easter season after the sudden sickness of my grandmother to myself being in a car accident, I had much to reflect on. I realized more than ever the sorrow and pain I held so close to the surface, but also of the power the resurrection has to bring […]
A few years ago I was a Catholic Worker for the summer. One day I realized we were out of pillows for new guests, so I asked my director what we should do. She bluntly told me, “Pray for pillows.” Admittedly, I thought she was being a bit ridiculous, but I walked out into our […]
To say this year’s Lent has been difficult and different is an understatement. We all feel the realities of this global pandemic, especially the strain on relationships. My husband and I constantly remind ourselves that even though we were away from our families for Easter, missed a baptism of a beautiful baby girl, had two […]
The world changed when Jesus’s tomb was tossed open, when Mary Magdalene, carrying her spices to anoint his body, found herself rushing to find the apostles, when Thomas’s denials were refuted by the resurrected Jesus. Today may be Easter, but it can feel like we are still in Lent because another resurrection is yet to […]
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” A creek winds down a quiet West Virginia hollow on a hot summer afternoon. I sit on an old porch beside a worn out trailer sipping a cup of cheap coffee and snacking on some […]
I have always questioned the timeline of Holy Week. The triumphant entry to crowds shouting; to them proclaiming, “Crucify Him,” to the empty tomb, all in one week; especially since there was no social media. Attitudes and beliefs cannot change that dramatically in one week, or can they? Apostles practiced social distancing, the crowds, clearly […]