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The Call of a Father
A scene in the new Star Wars film The Force Awakens captivated me. I am not a Star Wars expert or fanatic, but I grew up watching the original trilogy like most young boys of my generation, and I loved it. So now, being a father myself and watching the new film with my eight-year-old son made the experience that much more memorable. Without spoiling anything, the scene I mention for those who saw the movie is the one that left most of us gasping with a collective “WHY?” It was the scene in which Hans Solo confronts his son, Kylo Ren. For those who have not seen the movie…
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Kandersteg, Switzerland
Today, I visited two places I have wanted to visit since moving to Switzerland: Kandersteg and Lake Oeschinensee. After about a 50-minute drive from our house, I arrived in Kandersteg and took the lift to the trails leading to Lake Oeschinensee. My family and I are very grateful to have experienced this adventure in Switzerland and to have seen some beautiful places. But this is near the top of my list. The combination of the majestic peaks of the Alps and the silent, serene landscape of snow and trees made this visit very spiritual. It took me out of myself and invited me into the paradox of the sheer beauty…
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Hope and Home
Walking through the familiar door into the place I called home for most of my childhood and teenage years brought contentment and, yet, a sense of conflict. I knew what stair created the loudest creak. I knew what seat gave the best view of the TV. Looking up at night, I knew the shadows on the ceiling before I fell asleep. This was my home during some of the most influential times of my life. This was my home that gave birth to great joy, great sorrow, and great love. This was my home. And yet, I was a visitor. For this was my parent’s home. Pulling up to the…
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The Mountains and the Divine
Why do I need more? There is a profound yearning within me when I see such beauty. My soul has a profound desire in the face of such majestic sights. I want more. I desire more. Why isn’t this enough? The sight of such creation comes as an invitation rather than a sense of contentment. For the beauty in front of me, I see. I touch. I climb. I smell. And yet, my senses can’t fill the holes of my desire. My eyes can’t lessen the deep yearning with that in which I can see. Creation is inviting my humanity into the mystery of divinity. I attended Mass at an…
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Paris, Death, and Uncertainty
It has been one week since evil raised its head in Paris. One week. One week of news reports about those who carried out these attacks. One week of wondering how this could happen again. One week of speculating what and who is next. There was a moment last Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours from the time the first bullets flew and the first bombs detonated when I watched my four-year-old son play outside as if there was no evil in the world. He played with such intensity and vigor as if death had not shown its head less than four hours away in a city we had recently visited. And then came…
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The Crumbs of Holiness
A couple of days ago, I had a temper tantrum over the ever-present crumbs that continue to find their home in our house. Some like to live on our kitchen floor; some would rather stay on the countertops, and some like the view of our dining area from underneath the table. As much as I try to escort them out of our house with a ride in the vacuum, their friends seem to take their places immediately. It is a battle that is never-ending. And one that triggers things within me that are not pleasant. Now, I don’t have to look very far to see who the usual culprits are.…
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The Emmental
One of the great things about exploring a new country is that you never know what you will find. I set out today to explore a part of the country called the Emmental. The Emmental is a valley in west-central Switzerland that is made up of hilly countryside and lush forests. After driving through and then up some roads that were a bit scary, I came upon some trails and a beautiful view of the Bernese Alps. I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beauty. “Nature is the art of God.” –Dante Alghieri
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The Volto Santo
A few weeks ago, while on our trip to Italy, we visited Lucca. In the Tuscany region, Lucca is believed to have been founded around 180 BC. It is a beautiful place, and I highly recommend it if you ever visit the Tuscany region. The Cathedral of St. Martin is located within the city’s walled area. Inside the cathedral is the Chapel of the Holy Face, or the Volto Santo, also known as the Holy Cross. The small chapel contains a walnut crucifix showing Christ wearing a tunic. Yet it is the face, the Volto Santo, that grabbed me. Like all old relics, the Volto Santo is surrounded by history,…
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The Prayer of Music
One of my favorite activities during my seven years as youth minister at St. Ann Parish in Phoenixville, PA, was “Music Night.” It was a night when, one by one, the kids would let everyone know their favorite song at that particular time in their lives. We would then listen to the music together as a group. The purpose had multiple levels to it. “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” -Plato At first glance, it was a chance to listen to the song’s lyrics acutely and decide whether the…
