2003

Advent and the Chicago Cubs

Advent and the Chicago Cubs

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, my nephew (or to be genealogically precise, the man who married my wife’s niece) was the 60th person in line at Wal-Mart at 5:15 in the morning. Unlike some men who wait until 5:15 on Christmas Eve, John wanted to get in early and get out cheap.

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180 Gallons, But Who’s Counting?

180 Gallons, But Who’s Counting?

Let’s start with a question. When a Roman Catholic priest is ordained, what is the first thing he does? He celebrates mass, that’s what he does. And it is a really big deal….his first mass, I mean. He announces the date, names the place and sends out invitations. Friends come. Family comes. Colleagues from the seminary (and from the hierarchy) come. It’s the culmination of one long journey and the beginning of another. So people want to be there.

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Mediation in Manciones

Mediation in Manciones

The following communion meditation was shared on the fourth and final Friday of a month-long mission project in Manciones, Costa Rica. My wife (Kristine) and I were privileged to be a part of this collective effort. Our goal was to build a church for a new congregation. Which, while not fully completed at the time of our departure, was well on the way.

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A Quarter Pound of Salt

A Quarter Pound of Salt

Unless my memory has completely failed me, it was the late Mae West (that queen of burlesque) who used to say: “Always remember, darlings, that too much of a good thing is wonderful.” Obviously, Mae West never cooked with garlic. Or ginger, either.

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