Luke’s Gospel to Theophilus

One among many mysteries of the Bible
is the identity of the man “Theophilus”
to whom Luke addresses his Gospel (1:1-4).
It refers to a real person who is 1900 years old!
But this is a mystery we need not solve.
We can think of ourselves as that “friend of God” for that message is ever alive today.

Do You Get My Point?

Freezing temperatures provide a winter wonderland of scenes
that are events of the moment, here today gone tomorrow.
Icicles have a cold beauty, along with danger for passersby.
By always pointing to the earth,
they remind us of gravity which we cannot see.
We need reminders of what is invisible because we are
people of Spirit.

Blessed Christmas and New Year

Best wishes to all from St. Joseph Monastery parish church
in Baltimore, Maryland.

May 2010 bring new opportunities to you
in every way.

Light in the Darkness

On a city street in the Hampden section of Baltimore,
the close-knit residents nightly scatter the darkness.
Yearly, the crowds come to feel the warmth,
the ancient message, the hope that the light will spread.
The lights may not last past the latter days of December,
but the power of the Lord’s coming endures.

Gone Fishin’

July is that kind of month when the world should slow down a bit.
A mid-year pause that refreshes.

Close to nature, poised silently in a game of wits,
fishermen young and old learn lots of lessons in patience.

Maybe that’s why Jesus chose a few fishermen first of all.
Patience and hope are the hallmarks of a good disciple.

Put On a Happy Face

Summer has arrived.
Everyone outdoors to soak up the sun (with the proper SPF lotion),
Parks, beaches, mountain paths beckon.
Shed your winter self, and
Let the sun shine out from within (braces and all).

Yes, the world careens from one extreme to another,
but putting on a happy face can help us through it all.

Happy summer days to all from downtown Chicago’s water wall.

Beauty is All Around

Railroads are coming back, they say.
The stations from the past are still here.
Soaring above the wooden benches in the Hoboken NJ station,
this glass skylight speaks eloquently of another time
when gifted artisans worked alongside masonry crews.

Together they integrated beauty and function.
Let us hope that is one tradition that comes back.

Happy Landing

A nice day for a little flight.
No need for a long runway of cement,
just a the gentlest petal of color,
enough to stop for a happy landing
and a sweet kiss,
and then, up, up and away again.

We Are Easter People

Christ is risen, Alleluia!
We are Alleluia people.

Our world is filled with protest signs that say No.
No to war, No to oppression,
No to disease, No to poverty.
Easter’s message is a Yes.
Though the debility of life continues unabated,
Alleluia people do not lose hope in saying Yes
to bring some resolution to the evils that exist.

Blessed Easter to all

Holy Week of Great Love

Holy is the Week,
For all those who seek.
Great is the Love.
That came from above.

You who pass by the way,
Pause a little, on Calvary Day.
Though many weep for loved ones lost,
May they find strength in Jesus’ cross.

A Blessed Holy Week to all.