JMJ “Why should I know that?” I have heard this question many times as a math teacher over the years, but once I asked a student who the first president of the United States was and she answered, “Why should I know that?” Don’t scoff. It happened. Originally, this student […]
The Assumption: A Promise to Disciples
JMJ On August 15th, Catholics around the globe celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. Since the earliest days of Christianity, we have believed that Our Lady was assumed body and soul into heaven. If you are unfamiliar with the history of the Assumption you can read about it, here and […]
Facebook to Faithbook?
In case you missed it, the creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, made a couple of interesting statements last month. He claimed Facebook is “the new church” and the social network can take on the role that religion once did in giving people a sense of community. He also went on […]
Cruising Without Christ
JMJ I recently stepped off of a cruise ship after seven days of sailing. We stopped frequently at touristy Alaskan towns replete with jewelry stores, souvenir shops, crab shacks and bars. If you didn’t stuff yourself with fresh seafood while on land, a frequent joke on the boat reminded […]
Render Unto Uncle Sam…
As I reflected on what I would discuss this month, I felt called to juxtapose two familiar quotes. The first comes from a hero of the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, written in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy in 1789. Franklin said, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an […]
A Toast to Saint Patrick
I like to drink. Beer. Good beer. I especially enjoy the ice cold variety in a frosty mug. The presence of good friends magnifies my enjoyment of this activity many, many times. I think a lot of you may appreciate this. Maybe it isn’t beer you enjoy. Perhaps you prefer fine wine […]
How Hallmark Destroyed Marriage
“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam… And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva… So tweasure your wuv.” These classic words from The Princess Bride, although innocuously sweet sounding, holds two of the most dangerous words to western civilization. […]
The Millennial Search for Meaning
A recent article at Forbes about the lament of Millennials and their desire to find meaning in their work got me thinking. What makes these youngsters so special? We all want our work to be meaningful, don’t we? I mean who hits the marketplace thinking I can’t wait to do […]