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I noticed "Research sheds new light on intelligent life existing across the galaxy" in last year's science news headlines. That, and "'Mirror Image' of the Earth and Sun Discovered 3000 Light-Years Away," started me writing about exoplanets, SETI and vaguely-related topics. About 8,400 words later.... ...So I saved what I'd written and proceeded with reading, writing and not going bonkers during an election-year pandemic. Some of the "...sheds new light..." material went into "My Top 10 Science News Stories For 2020." Most of it will (probably) go into this series. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

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  In today’s reading in the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 2:1-12) we are drawn into a scene where Jesus was home, preaching to people.   So many people gathered around him that they were running out of room. Because of this, some had to open up a roof above Jesus and break through, letting a paralytic down through the roof on his mat. When Jesus saw the man, he recognized his faith, and said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” The scribes who were watching questioned what Jesus had done and challenged him.   Jesus, knowing what they were thinking, gave them the proof they needed, going beyond the forgiveness of his sins through the power of his spoken word to a physical healing they could actually see.   He said to the man, “Rise, pick up your mat and walk” to show them that the forgiveness he had given did take place and the man, who had been carried in, walked away as everyone looked on. Naturally, everyone was surprised and their response was to glorify God. If Jesus could

  From   The Gospel of John , directed by Philip Saville Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 1:35-42 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,   and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”   The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.   Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them,  “What are you seeking?”  And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”   He said to them,  “Come and you will see.”  So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.   One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.   He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ)

  I was listening to the news today and heard that lottery sales are up and that the winning jackpot is huge.   While I do not tend to buy lottery tickets, I paused for a moment and wondered if I should. I would definitely be a philanthropist.   If I had that much money, which would be so much more than I would ever need, I would definitely think of ways to responsibly give it away. But, my next thought put an end to all my dreaming. If I were to win a lottery like that, all my days would be centered around managing that money and I would never be able to have peace of mind or focus on the things and people that really matter to me. The thought of philanthropy had brought a smile to my face, but I quickly realized that we can be generous and share with others even if we are not billionaires. Of course, I suspect for most, the idea of philanthropy when you are rich is that it will not tap into your reserves and endanger your lifestyle. I am reminded of the poor widow in th