Of Gods and Men
It is difficult to convey the spiritual life in a film, since so much of what goes on is in a realm that is not seen or heard. And usually, although it may seem dramatic to the person who is living it, there is not a lot of action for an onlooker. However, the French film, “Of Gods and Men” →
On Being Authentic
Authenticity is about becoming real. It is a dangerous business, and it takes a lifetime. The alternative is a superficial life that is nothing more than an act for others. Authenticity, living out of the truth of who we are, is the greatest freedom. Phoniness is the most tragic and heinous form of slavery. Properly understood, Shakespeare’s maxim “to thine →
Silence and Honeycakes
The Wisdom of the Desert by Rowan Williams How could the desert mothers and fathers have anything to say to modern life? Williams convinces us that their wisdom is pertinent. In our society we are either too conformist or too individualistic. How can we become more authentic? How escape the imprisonment of the ego or false self? Silence tells the truth. →
Trusting Grace
Grace and nature sometimes cooperate with each other. Easter season is a good example. Irish spring erupts in a riot of flowers and blue skies and sun-dappled seas so symphonic that you can't be unhappy even if you try to be unhappy. We leave the tomb whether we like it or not and, as the poem says “all the world →
Spring Reflection
Spring comes early in Ireland, the 1st of February. With record-breaking cold this past December, most of us will be some combination of incredulous and hopeful. Reality does not correspond to our wishes or our calendars. But that cuts both ways. Nature does not proceed on schedule, nor is Spirit synchronous with liturgical seasons. Nor is God bound by our →
Book review-A Year with CS Lewis
Contrary to the title of this book, very few readers will get a year of reading out of it. These selections of Lewis’ writings are too good. Reading one per day is about like eating one potato chip. Count on two months, maybe. Editor Patricia S. Klein obviously knows C. S. Lewis like the back of her own hand, both his →
