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Other than the serious medical issues surrounding this virus, which are significant, I think part of the recent psychological challenges to our current predicament might be traced to what seems like an increasing lack of control. Things are happening to us and around us that we are not in charge of, but that does not mean there is nothing we can control. For sure, our routines are changing.   Because of a temporary situation related to apartment maintenance (or more to the point, lack thereof), our youngest daughter and her two kids stayed with us for a few days.) Because of this, I have discovered that five year olds must stomp like a dinosaur whenever they are moving from one room to another (growl included, free of charge.) I have re-discovered the fun of hearing dreams recalled in lazy mornings before breakfast. I have found the importance of protecting one’s quiet space. I have re-discovered the joy—and challenges—of having little ones spread aro

Today, we celebrate the awesome event of when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear a Son, who would be called the Son of God. Today is the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord. The Annunciation Can you imagine what that moment must have been like for Mary? She was a young teen, barely a woman! Yet, she knew enough about the facts of life to know how procreation works. She wondered, how could this be, since she did not know man? She was engaged to Joseph, but they had not yet married. Therefore, Mary was a virgin. Yet, with God, all things are possible. We consider the Annunciation, the conception of Jesus, to be one of the mysteries of our faith. With Mary’s “yes,” Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, (ever Divine) entered humanity, through the power of the Holy Spirit, by Mary conceiving Jesus in her womb. This young teen then went on to become the greatest mother of all the living. It was because of Mary’s “yes,” that God was able

The Raising of Lazarus Rembrandt [ Web Gallery of Art ] There is  a very good commentary  on this painting in the March 2020 issue of the liturgical monthly  Magnificat. A Comment on the Covid-19 Pandemic A diocesan priest in Canada, officially retired but very active pastorally in his diocese and who is a good friend, sent me the following, which I have slightly edited, a few days ago . I can see how this trial can make for a great Easter. Only our relationship with Christ cannot be destroyed by the horrors of the world. The prayer on the opening Sunday of Lent reads:  Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observance of holy Lent,  that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ  and by worthy conduct pursue their effects .  Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who ives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.  The Season of Lent will deliver us into the riches hidden in Christ  [ emphasis  ad

I saw a compilation of television evangelists’ preaching at the onset of the Covid-19 Virus that shows what some of them were telling people.   I mention it here because it is important to have a healthy perspective when it comes to understanding “God versus the virus”. The evangelists continued to encourage people to defy the science of the spread of community contagions by inviting people to come to worship together and greet each other closely, some defying their governor’s edict. One guy said he woke up at 2:30 in the morning and was told by God that “We’re looking at the virus and the virus is nothing.” So did he, or God, get this wrong? Here are some of the other comments offered in response to the virus outbreak by various television evangelists: “If we die, we die for Christ.   If we live, we live for Christ, so what do you lose?” “The power of the government stops at the door of our church.   If you look around our church, you didn’t stop these p