I’ve been reading an interesting book lately: The Triumph of Injustice, by Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman. I’m not going to address their political agenda because I want to try to keep this web site apolitical. The book’s subtitle will Read more…
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” (John 9:2) This question which Jesus’ disciples asked him assumes that someone must be responsible—someone must be to blame—when something bad happens. It’s a natural reaction. If you Read more…
This COVID-19 pandemic calls to my mind what Jesus said about the “birth pangs” that would precede the last days. As Jesus sat on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, the disciples Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him, “What will be the sign Read more…
When you read the title of this blog entry, you probably thought it would be about climate change disrupting whales’ food sources, or perhaps their migration patterns or mating habits. Well, not exactly. One of the indirect effects of climate Read more…
The Great Barrier Reef along Australia’s northeastern coastline is the largest coral reef in the world at 133,000 square miles. It is home to many species of fish and other marine life. But the warming oceans are slowly killing it. Read more…
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicates that temperatures and climate disruption are both on the rise. According to the report, 2019 was the 2nd warmest year on record, second only to 2016. The decade of 2010-2019 Read more…
Significant Days during Lent: Shrove Tuesday (aka Pancake Tuesday and Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras) – This is the day before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the tradition of shriving—i.e., a Christian confessing his sins and receiving Read more…
The Council of Nicea referred to Lent as tessakaronka, Greek for “forty.” The Latin is Quadragesima, which means “forty” or “fortieth.” In the Latin countries of Italy, Spain, and France, Lent is referred to by a name that derives from Read more…
Today Lent is a 40-day period of repentance, fasting, self-examination, and preparation for the coming of Easter. However, the earliest evidence of Lent as a season lasting 40 days comes from the Council of Nicea, in 325 A.D., which refers Read more…
I hear many banks and loan companies trying to convince homeowners to take out loans against their homes to pay off various kinds of debts, such as credit cards, medical bills, or student loans. This can make sense in some Read more…