Blog (Page 34)
A Time To Look At The Names
Steve and I are in the midst of reading Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility, the top-selling book last week on The New York Times’s list of nonfiction books. As you parishioners who read it and perhaps participated in the discussion of DiAngelo’s book know, the author essentially makes us examine what it is that keeps us from honest conversations about race. DiAngelo also describes the innumerable racist structures in our society that may be invisible to us, unless we are open…
The ‘Beam’ in My Eye
I’ve been struggling for many years to write a short memoir about my grandmother, and I struggle mainly because she is an unfinished story. When I was 8, my parents told me and my six siblings that Grandma had lost her memory and had to be put into a facility that was part of “the State Hospital.” There would be no children allowed for visits. In a flash, grandma’s life effectively ended for me. I didn’t see her again until…
Reflecting on The Lives
A black colleague on an anti-racism coalition told me that a man had been killed in Georgia while jogging. The colleague linked me to a Facebook post. I was annoyed when the link turned out to be a dead end. I searched Google, then The New York Times, and I didn’t see anything. I wondered if the report was true. The next day, the video of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery emerged, and the news went all over the country.…
Our Beliefs, In Bold Print
For comments, please scroll down to the bottom of this entry. Our son Brian has been home with me and Steve for a few weeks while he works remotely as a freelance musician in and around New York City. With Brian at home, we’ve had a chance to have conversations about the recent killings of black men and women at the hands of white people, and about our work with the Spiritus Anti-Racism Coalition. As you parents of out-of-town adult…
Gratitude
Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill and Mary Ramerman Friday, May 29 from Brian: Thomas Merton said of gratitude, “To be grateful, is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us—and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new…
be gentle
Thursday, May 27 Yoyo Ma is a famous cello player. He says that he is often asked by his students how they should prepare for a performance. He tells them that in order to become a professional musician you will go through years of training, and you will often be critiqued and judged by your teachers. If you get on stage and begin to think about that criticism and then begin to worry about your performance, it will be a…
Serenity
Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill and the banner image is his original artwork. Wednesday, May 27 My personal experience with seeking and maintain serenity has changed over the years as I’ve grown in my spiritual life. I did a search to see how Google defines serenity and the first result was; the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. That sounds great! I know it would be easy for me to be calm, peaceful, and untroubled on a…
Love
Tuesday, May 26 When I was eighteen years old and attending Humboldt State University in the redwoods of northern California, a speaker came to the college. He was Leo Buscaglia, a professor from USC where he taught the course LOVE 1A. Leo was a large Italian man with a graying beard and dancing eyes and a hearty laugh. For one hour, he captivated his audience of young adults with stories of living life. He told us how after eating a…
Joy
Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill Monday, May 25 When I think of the word joy, my first thought is, what makes me happy? I love art, cooking, singing and gardening—all of these give me great joy. Doing things that directly benefit me require little sacrifice. I have learned another form of joy that isn’t always easy to obtain, offer, or embrace. I am referring to the joy that is felt in being of service to others, which asks…
Forever My Child
Friday, May 22 A woman had a friend over for tea. As they prepared the tea in the kitchen, she looked out the window into the yard next door and saw her neighbor hanging up her laundry. “Look at those clothes,” she said to her friend. “They are not even clean. She’s hanging up dirty clothes.” Her friend came over to the window to look. She peered through the window, then took her hand and rubbed the glass. “It’s not…
Perfection
Today’s reflection was written by Brian O’Neill Thursday, May 21 I am a very driven and goal-oriented person. I wouldn’t say that I am type A but maybe more of a B+, if there is such a thing? I strive for perfection in work, gardening, cooking, and any endeavor that I attempt. Even as I sit and write this blog post there is a big part of me that wants it to be perfect. To insist on perfectionism in myself…
An Unknown Path
Wednesday, May 20 Earlier this week, a reader ended her comment with the phrase “as we all travel this unknown path together.” An unknown path…immediately all kinds of images came to my mind. I thought of the many hikes I have taken through the Adirondacks, along the coast of Maine, and on the Pacific Coast. When I think of an unknown path, all my senses are heightened. There is a tinge of anxiety that arises. Where is the path going? …