-
Mary and the Magnifying Glass
I remember the day when I was in fifth grade when some of the more mischievous boys, not generally inclined towards academics, nonetheless took a sudden interest in science. They would get up and go to the potted plants on the windowsill, and using the magnifying glass, would study them intently and at length. This newfound fascination intrigued me, who could see nothing remarkable about the plants that captured their attention. What were they seeing that I could not? It was all explained when, after mysterious holes began to appear in the leaves, they started giggling like girls, and were caught, red-handed, having set a small insect on fire. The…
Not From Me But For Me
Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children…
I See What You Did There
I am among the reluctant fans of The Chosen. I must confess that when it first came out, I refused to watch it. I usually find myself disappointed even in regular film when I’ve “read the book first.” So often,…
So Close: The Breath of God
It happened so quickly that I didn’t have to time to be afraid. It was so sudden that there wasn’t even time for her Grandparents, watching from the balcony above, to cry out. We had been swimming—or more accurately, Zippy…
Who is in the Manger?
‘Twas a few days before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except me. Rising early, I slipped downstairs to steal some time in solitude and silence before the others awoke and my attention and energy…
Thomas Didn’t Get It
“How is this night different from all other nights?” The youngest child in a Jewish family asks this question on the night of Passover. We could ask a similar question on Divine Mercy Sunday—why is this feast any different? We’ve…
Light-Bearing Angel
Agatha Christie is best known as a writer of mysteries, particularly those featuring detectives Hercules Poirot and Miss Marple. She has been called the Queen of Crime, and was even awarded the more official title of Dame of the British…
Blessed Is She Who Believed
As a child I loved Holy Saturday. It was a day of Much Anticipation. The more sad and somber liturgies were completed, as was the long Lent and the fasting of Good Friday. Night would bring the wonderful Easter Vigil.…
Patron for the Pandemic
About six years ago I was sitting on the beach with my friend Monica when I had a startling idea. “Why is there no 24-hour adoration chapel in Manhattan?” Surely a city which hosts eight million people on any given…
The Egg and the Rock
Today’s Gospel seems to tell a Tale of Two Peters. Jesus asks His disciples the pivotal question: “Who do you say that I am?” It is Peter who proclaims in reply: “You are the Christ!” Peter is able to see…
What Kind of God
Recently it seemed that a wish was about to come true. It was the wish that I made the last three years while blowing out birthday candles. The wish that I had been working tirelessly for and praying for on…