Home earlier than anticipated.....Happy Easter

I drove from the Maryland/Pennsylvania Line to Charlotte today in eight hours (tying my all time best travel time). Leaving earlier than anticipated, I arrived home by early afternoon. On the drive up Thursday night/Friday and back today, I listened to "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel on CD. I find listening to a novel on CD makes a long car trip go seemingly very fast. Finishing the novel two thirds of the way home today, I found myself very surprised and even disturbed by the major twist in the story at it's end.

I won't spoil the ending for those who have not read (or listened to) the book or seen the movie, but I will tip my cap to Mr. Martel who is quite the writer and deserves much praise for his understanding of the human psyche. His masterful storytelling makes it quite natural to suggest the reader place her/his self in the position of the story's protagonist. I found myself wondering "what would I do" in a situation similar to that presented in this story. My answer, at least at this juncture is I'd like to think I'd act nobly, but I honestly don't know. Deep and disturbing thinking for an Easter Sunday, but I think we are better off not running from such introspection. Resurrection is in part about "renewal", and thinking through issues of deep importance, while often troubling, bring us to birthing places of new life.

Happy Easter!

I'm off (and offline) to spend the holiday with my children, grandson and my children's mothers (one big gay ole family). Have a Blessed Easter!

Nuff Said!

And the people say Amen!

Because you're BEAUTIFUL!

Existential angst..."Some Nights" or always...

This, I too believe....

Palm Sunday Wisdom....not mine....

I had the privilege of meeting Bishop Spong and his wife in 2000 in Vancouver. He is very inspiring and she is delightful!

Please double click to enlarge

Yep........

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Food for thought.....

Palm Sunday: Cold, Cold Spring

I don't like when Easter is so early. Spring has not taken hold and a two hour drive will put me in the path of a forecasted snow storm. Nonetheless, it's Palm (Passion) Sunday. Easter is a week away and my heart has yet to defrost from the colder (and longer) than usual winter. I guess if I'm honest, I've not had a very successful or insightful Lent.

I find myself consumed by daily worries I at one time brushed easily aside. Last year was such a brutal attack of betrayal and ingratitude at my work, I'm left feeling raw and bruised. For too long I've been caught in an unproductive and even destructive emotional and behavioral cycle unable to move forward. After many attempts to boost my spirit and to begin climbing out of this seemingly bottomless hole, I sit at it's bottom unable to even see the daylight. I've even stopped praying having lost words. I must trust the groaning of my exhausted spirit (so unlike the crowds shouting Hosanna) to be heard.

Easter is a week away. I hope it gives new reason to be hopeful once again. It's cold even to the heart........

On a lighter note......

Holy Week Humor.....

Lent V

Not really up to a post today-Long story........

Hope your Lent is progressing well!


Inside of the Cathedral in Cefalu Sicily

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Beautiful picture, beautiful city.....

Is there reason to be hopeful?

Op-ed: Pope Francis, Will You Accept Me? | Advocate.com

Lent IV

Today's gospel (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32)* is the account of the parable of the Prodigal Son. This well known story is familiar to most since it has entered the secular consciousness for a good reason; it tells a good and useful story. Usually, the telling of this story focuses on the lost son who is instantly forgiven by his father after living a dissolute life. His older brother is understandably upset over all the fuss being made over his brother. Hasn't he been the good boy? Hasn't he done his father's bidding without question or thought of reward? Today, I'm feeling much sympathy for the elder brother.

About twenty five years ago, I made a comment to a friend that evidently caused much pain. When I look at both the situation and the statement made, I truly believe I was trying to commiserate with her condition. Perhaps I used the wrong words, but my intention was to offer understanding and comfort. I have apologized several times since we reconnected via facebook and began e-mailing regularly. No fewer than six times in the last few years she has made it known that this caused her pain by including a reference in her e-mails (we live hundred of miles apart and last saw each other shortly after my unintended devastating statement).

I can honestly say, I have been a supportive and caring friend since our electronic re-acquaintance. She has said as much on many occasions. Forward to Thursday last when yet another reference and pointed barb arrived. I am lost for words since "I'm sorry" is obviously insufficient. To be honest, I'm tired of making the constantly rejected apology. If my support and caring is not enough; if my proven friendship is of lesser value because of this ancient unintentional slip of the tongue, I have to wonder if the friendship can or should be continued. Like the elder brother, I've been a "good boy".

Friendships can be like white water rafting. You float along smoothly until your reach the occasional rapids that make for some people's enjoyment (not for me thank you). I feel that in this last e-mail I've been swept off the raft and pulled under. I'm not sure I have the strength to swim to shore in another effort to salvage our e-friendship. I have a feeling that after the father explained things to the elder brother (why he threw a feast upon the return of the prodigal) it no doubt took time for the hurt feelings to subside. After over twenty five years, I don't know the healing words that may work. I haven't returned Thursday's e-mail. I'm not sure I will.

* Link to today's scripture readings

+ Painting: "The Prodigal Son", Edward Riojas

Window in Cefalu Cathedral

Lent III

Italians love fig trees. My immigrant grandfather planted one shortly after arriving from Cefalu Sicily in 1908. My first generation father planted one in our yard as well. They can be quite fickle and need special attention to grow and bear fruit. They like hot humid weather and have a dislike for cold and snow which are not uncommon in Maryland where our family settled. To my knowledge this near mystical attachment to the fig tree has not been inherited by subsequent generations and both my grandfather's and father's trees are long since dead. I confess I'm not over fond of the fruit which has a mealy texture.

In today's Gospel (Luke 13:1-9), Jesus uses a parable of an unproductive fig tree to indicate our need to be vigilant in cultivating our spiritual lives and producing the fruits of charity, compassion and fidelity to the Gospel. Lent is a perfect time to do the work of pruning unproductive or downright destructive habits which creep into our lives and take root growing abundantly. It's not enough to give up chocolate or wine for forty days, we have to do the much harder work of elimination that which hinders our personal growth and relationships with others. Only by such pruning and nurturing care will we produce fruits which enrich our lives and the lives of those we touch. It's an old and not always popular message, but it's logic is hard to dispute. We don't have to do this work in isolation. In aiding one another we produce the sweetest fruits of friendship, compassion and love/care of self and others.

I sometimes regret not caring for my father's fig tree now that he is gone. I guess I could always plant one of my own.....


Cefalu Sicily (click for larger view)

Grace Cathedral San Francisco