My first job out of college was as a New York State probation officer in the United States.
Though I loved the work, I was young and had never seen much of life’s dark side. One of my first assignments was supervising a convicted murderer. It was not an assignment I would have willingly chosen.
Over the months, Bill (not his real name) and I got to know each other well. Despite his awful crime, he was a gentle caring man.… Read more
Berna and I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church. It’s changed some since those long-ago days. But for better or worse?
In hindsight, it’s obvious the church in the old days ruled largely by fear. The standard fear they promoted ran something like this: If you don’t do what we say, you’ll burn in hell forever.
And we believed that!
(In fairness to the modern Roman church under Pope Francis, we note they acknowledge they have work to do.)… Read more
In this time of dramatic change all around the planet, it’s easy to lose sight of some basic facts of life:
During 2016, we will occasionally feature the peace prayers of the 12 classical world religions, and several other prominent peace prayers. Today’s post is the sixth of this series.
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In 2016 I believe we will see peace on earth, or at least more meaningful movement toward it. But when we look at our world, especially as reflected in the mainstream news media, peace on earth might seem like an impossible dream.
I’ve chased impossible dreams all my life.… Read more
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy. ~ Benjamin Franklin
Always Be Happy
You’ve heard my spirit guides and me talking about the Roman Catholic Church many times in these posts. But today we would like to focus on the funny side of the church.
That’s right — even the Roman Catholic Church can be funny. Although you would have never known it when I was growing up in the church.
So just sit back, relax, and enjoy these three short, funny videos.… Read more
Your angels are always sending you signs of their presence and love, such as feathers, flowers, lights, numbers, and music. ~ Doreen Virtue
Black Feather
One cold and cloudy day in September 1992, my dog Schnapsi and I were strolling through a grove of evergreen trees in Yellowstone National Park. Suddenly there was an energy, a huge presence both of us felt. It was almost overwhelming.
We stopped dead in our tracks and just stood there, wondering what was coming next.… Read more
Artist: Luca Giordano, 1632—1705
As some of you know, I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, and spent many years in Catholic schools. I graduated from a Jesuit college.
I loved the Jesuits because back then, when the church was still entrenched in the Middle Ages (it seemed to me), they were the vanguard, the forward thinkers.
Nonetheless, the Jesuits still taught traditional theology and philosophy. But they added an exciting new perspective, in contrast to everything I’d been taught before.… Read more
Image by NASA
The Dalai Lama said “Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or non-believing, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones.… Read more
Many years ago I graduated from a Jesuit college. They required all students to study philosophy every year. I was fascinated by the subject, and one of my favorite philosophers was the ancient Greek, Socrates.
Socrates was condemned to death for speaking his truth—as he always did fearlessly.
William Shakespeare famously said, “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
One of my all-time favorite writers, Richard Bach, said “Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.”… Read more
Pope Francis
Our title today is taken from an article recently appearing in The Independent, an online British newspaper.
It seems Pope Francis has promised shorter sentences in purgatory for those Roman Catholics who commit minor sins (“venial” sins, as the church calls them). The shorter sentences are known as “indulgences.”
According to Catholic teaching, if people die without confessing their sins to a priest, they will go to either purgatory (for minor or “venial” sins) or hell (for major or “mortal” sins).… Read more