Finding peace

In 2013, I had a student who at the time directed a regional UN branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a time of great upheaval and violence. His job was to negotiate peace. In my student’s experience, a mere four men got 3000+ armed rebels to not only lay down their arms but to also integrate back into the national army. People of faith can do much, much, more.

The in-between

The grace of the present moment, sometimes referred to as the sacrament of the present moment, is recognizing that every moment bears the will of God and so we should endeavor to live that moment as a blessing to Him. When we do so, we live in the grace of that moment, in His Spirit who is sanctifying us. This is what He created us for, to live in His love. So why is it so difficult?

Self-help vs. New Age Gnosticism  

The cultural revolution of the 1960’s led to a movement in the 1970’s of mothers entering the workplace. In addition to developing the new norm of ‘substitute’ parenting through the establishment of day care businesses, this movement created other needs for both men and women. In particular, there was the need for personal and professional development: the self-help movement. And from this spawned contemporary New Age Spirituality.

Book review: The Two Jerusalems: My conversion from the Messianic Movement to the Catholic church

I normally do not review books. However, the following review was completed for The Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. It is an autobiography of faith rather than an academic book, and as such gives a dizzying account of the errors and rabbit holes found in Messianic Judaism, Christian cults, and Protestantism. As such, it might be of interest to some of you 😊

Walking away

The months of May and June we celebrate graduation at all levels of schooling, reflecting upon the path behind our child and their journey ahead. Whether it is your little child’s first day at school or your now young adult child stepping onto that college campus, this classic poem by Cecil Day Lewis continues to capture the heart of the parent.