Sunday, June 21, 20200593One summer in college, I worked at a ministry in Chicago. I served as a mentor for kids in hard social and economic situations. Beyond this ministry, I remember two days there: the morning I ran the Chicago Distance Classic, and the evening I saw someone murdered in plain sight outside Bryant Park.
Friday, June 19, 20200444The events of the last few weeks surrounding the murder of George Floyd have to had striken a cord in the hearts of those who have minds to perceive that this is a time of opportunity to confess our unfair judgments of the past.
Thursday, June 18, 20200386In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) there are three major characters: the father, the younger (prodigal) son and the older son. In many cases, our emphasis lies on the younger son, from which the parable derived its name. At other times we emphasize the father, who characterizes God in the story. Only occasionally do we...
Saturday, February 22, 20200393I recently finished a fascinating book by Norman Doidge on neuroplasticity, “The Brain that Changes Itself.” It’s a very readable book about how science is overturning the “mechanistic” view of the human being, which, Doidge argues, has dominated culture at least since the philosopher-scientist René Descartes (1596-1600)....
Friday, February 21, 20200190The Diocese of Dallas has a wonderful facility, the Catholic Formation Center, right off Interstate Highway 35 and Zang Boulevard in Oak Cliff. Here many retreats, conferences and meetings are held each week.
Saturday, August 24, 20190333In this “Back To School” issue, there is much ado about our youngsters going back into the classroom, but what about we elders. When we retire, do we cease to learn?
Thursday, August 22, 20190600At St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richardson, there is a small gathering place called the Forum. People meet, relax and study in the Forum, with coffee, donuts, cookies and Wifi. But I am most impressed by what often takes place in the Forum among some of the older members of the church community after the morning masses.
Wednesday, July 17, 20190872For any flower to blossom fully, its roots must be nourished continuously and grounded in good soil. This simple fact of nature highlights, by analogy, the spiritual necessity of drawing constant inspiration from the first days and heroes of the early Church.
Tuesday, June 18, 20190388Reflecting on the story of the healing of the paralytic (Mk 2:1-12) brings out many lessons. It tells us about the forgiving power of God, but it also presents us with a model of an authentic act of friendship. Four men brought a paralytic to Jesus for healing. When they could not find a way to get into the room where Jesus was, they did...
Thursday, March 28, 20190253Lent is just now building up steam and it is Spring already! Blossoms are abundant on the trees around our area which used to be called Fruitdale. The name was inspired by the many Czech families who settled in the southern part of Dallas county in order to be close to their new jobs and also close to Sunday dinner with their mothers...
