THE HUMAN SIDE “Who is my neighbor?” asks a scribe (Lk 10:29). Christ replies with the parable of the good Samaritan. After hearing this parable repeatedly, I thought I knew its full meaning. I was wrong! The person who helps the man left for dead is a Samaritan. In the eyes of the Jews, Samaritans […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: The wonderful world of theology
THE HUMAN SIDE In Robert Bolt’s play “A Man for All Seasons,” Rich, who is enamored with the glory of court life, pleads with St. Thomas More for a court appointment. More replies, “Why not be a teacher? You’d be a fine teacher. Perhaps even a great one.” “And if I was, who would know […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: A garden’s mystique: Quotes to inspire
THE HUMAN SIDE Roman Senator Marcus Tullius Cicero wrote, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Why is a garden precious? One reason is it produces life-sustaining food. It can also produce the life-enhancing spirit of beautiful flowers. Most mysterious and even more precious is its secretive powers of […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: Countering today’s malaise with simplicity
THE HUMAN SIDE Whenever I was anxious about disturbing events, my Italian grandfather would say, “Gini, it is all in the Bible. Not only does it contain the same distressing happenings of today, but also the wisdom needed to contend with them.” St. Matthew’s Gospel contains the wisdom of which my grandfather spoke. Christ prays, […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: A spirit of inclusion to break down walls
THE HUMAN SIDE Residing on Capitol Hill is like living in the Green Zone in Baghdad: Sophisticated barriers abound all around its perimeters. Ironically, they were constructed by Latinos, the same people some Americans would like to wall off. On top of this, some want to wall off Muslims from entering our country. In our […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: Mary’s example in fighting terrorism
THE HUMAN SIDE As I sat on the front porch of my apartment recently, a U.S. Capitol Police car raced by. Minutes later, dozens of police cars, fire engines and ambulances followed with a helicopter hovering overhead. Road barricades protecting the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol building were activated halting all traffic, as authorities grabbed […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: Communication for our times
If truly embraced, Pope Francis’ message for the 50th World Communications Day, combined with the wisdom of Roman philosopher Cicero, can help the political world, the marketplace and the pulpit.
Father Eugene Hemrick: Welcoming those who feel unwelcomed
When we speak of serving the poor, we usually envision collecting donations, creating parish food pantries, gathering clothing, providing housing and contributing a variety of services to those in need..
Father Eugene Hemrick | The human side: The roots of terrorism
Why is terrorism spreading like wildfire? Violent terrorism seizes the world’s attention today. So many lives and resources are devoted to countering terrorism’s influence and impact. Terrorist recruiters play on youthful idealism, and this is one reason the number of terrorists continues to grow. Young people tend to be highly idealistic and to dream of […]
Father Eugene Hemrick | The Human Side: Making something good out of depression
Without warning, depression hit me one day. Then came the panic attacks and mental paralysis. Life suddenly had no meaning. I found myself wanting to go back to sleep, hoping that when I awoke, I would be normal again. As I sat helplessly staring out the window, I remembered what an old Benedictine teacher once […]
