Dear Father X, Every Sunday, as we walk out the door, we shake your hand and say, “Good sermon, Father.” We’re not lying. We’re usually fairly satisfied with what you have to say, but no one is perfect. Even Kobe Bryant misses the occasional easy layup. You studied preaching in seminary, and presumably your professors […]

We watched “Gone with the Wind” the other night. It’s been years since I last saw it, and my response has changed dramatically. The central character is the spirited but selfish Scarlett O’Hara. Her gentle sister-in-law, Melanie Wilkes, serves as contrast. I used to fantasize about being Scarlett. Now, I want to be Melanie. Melanie […]

A few years ago, I broke my baby toe. I was taking off my jeans, and they were stuck around one ankle. So I gave a hard kick. The jeans came off, but my toe hit the wall. As I jumped around the room in pain, my mind added to my Book of Rules: “Always […]

I’m always a little embarrassed when someone asks what I’ve given up for Lent. I usually give up sweets, which sounds like a child’s choice. I did, in fact, start this practice in my early teens and have been more faithful to it than to any more “adult” discipline. So I was thrilled to read […]

I once thought that silent prayer was the best prayer — no requests, no words, just a quiet lifting of the soul to her Maker. Then I read about indulgences and the spiritual practices connected with them. The rosary is listed with the instruction to pray aloud. Audible prayers are recommended for Stations of the […]

Scripture tells us, over and over, that we are to forgive those who hurt us. Moreover, we are to forgive others the way God has forgiven us. His forgiveness is total and unconditional. So, we, too, are to forgive and forget. That second action is the real toughie. Time helps with some trespasses. We seldom […]

Sometimes I can be such a snot. We attended a wedding, the second for both bride and groom. The bride, who is on the hefty side, wore a very tight, very low cut white dress. It was sleeveless, the better to show off the large tattoos on each bicep. I thought to myself, “How trashy.” […]