I watched some of the coverage of the tall ships passing through the New York Harbor and one picture stays vividly with me. It was taken from high up behind the Statue of Liberty looking down at one of the passing ships. I found myself wondering what the original captain, crew and passengers would think
How Will We Celebrate July 4, 2276? Read More »
July 4 will soon be here. This year it marks the country’s 250th anniversary of proclaiming who we wanted to be as a country and expressing it in the Declaration of Independence. The values and the hopes we held dear could not be envisioned within an authoritarian monarchy led by an inept king. Rather, as
This July 4, Let’s Realign With the Nation We Were Founded to Be Read More »
Recently, I went to liturgy at an abbey. It was a wondrous structure where, upon entering the body of the church, your eyes immediately lifted to the heavens. The priest was dwarfed by the upward movement of the architecture. I breathed deeply, caught in memories of being in the medieval cathedrals of Europe; amazing structures
Divine Mystery: As Immense As the Universe and Intimate As One’s Breath Read More »
I recently picked up a novel by Scott Turow, Ordinary Heroes. I’ve liked his legal thrillers, but this book is different. It tells the story of a young man trying to piece together his father’s life when he was in the military during the Second World War. The plot is intriguing, but what drew my
The Hidden Cost of a War of Choice Read More »
For three years I have awakened to the “beep, beep, beep” of backing up trucks, the clackety clack of flatbed carts being pushed into place, the crashing of trash from the third-floor windows into barrels, the murmurs of the workers as they begin their day, all beginning around 6 a.m. Just recently most of the
The Stubborn Hope of Resurrection Read More »
Most recently, when I’ve been invited to give a presentation, I’m asked to talk about hope. For too many of us, the kind of changes we are experiencing politically, culturally and economically are overwhelming. All the ways we used to try to effect change seem no longer to work. The speed and breadth of the
We Already Have Within Us the Hope That We Need: Being a Neighbor Read More »
As the new year began with the leader of our country turning his sights on the international stage, I wondered: Where can we find hope in a government increasingly unmoored from law and decency? Then I realized that January gives us an opportunity to restore the possibility of who we can be as a people
As We Face a Government of Bullies, Martin Luther King Still Challenges Us to Love Read More »
MEDITATION FOR THE NEW YEAR – Nancy Sylvester, IHM BIRTH OF THE UNIVERSE It is 13.8 billion years ago. It is before time and space. There is only darkness. Then there was a great flaring forth. From this singularity of energy would come forth everything that would ever exist. BIRTH OF SELF IN THIS COSMIC UNFOLDING
Nancy’s Blog – ICCDMusings for the Moment Read More »
Autumn in the Midwest is my favorite season. Leaves crunching beneath my feet and showering themselves everywhere. The first cool bite of winter is quickly replaced by a warm gentle breeze. Darkness creeps ever closer, making days much shorter. And I know the celebrations that I love — Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas — will soon
Reclaim Thanksgiving for All Our Immigrants Read More »
“Memory Man” is a lead character in a series of novels by David Baldacci. Because of a head injury incurred on the football field, Amos Decker remembers everything, forgetting nothing. This rare brain disease might sound amazing, but it is much more of a burden. He recalls and envisions everything that has happened in his
Take Time to Re-member on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days Read More »
Recently, I found myself going to the movies twice in one week. I went to see Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and Hamilton, the movie version of the stage play. I enjoyed both immensely and they offered me an insight into the increasing polarity we are experiencing as a nation. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set in
What ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Hamilton’ taught me about forgiveness and history Read More »
Listening to the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, I was struck by the translation’s repetitive phrase that people, on seeing the person in need of help, “crossed the street.” I began to reflect on what is happening in our country and what we are hearing that creates fear or indifference in us, so much
Who is the Good Samaritan Today? Read More »
