Treacherous Brook

"Tolerance becomes a crime when it is applied to evil...." - Thomas Mann (1927) All hell broke loose this week (you'll note it usually does during Holy Week...) because the State of Indiana passed a law to ensure what many of us already assume to be a right granted by the United State Constitution.  Namely, the right to freely practice one's religion.  That pesky First Amendment.  Turns out...Indiana is the 20th state to pass such a law.  A Federal bill affirming the same rights was passed and then signed by President Clinton in 1993.  The fact that Barack Obama helped pass the same law in Illinois while 'serving' as Senator there, matters not one wit to the pols or the press. On Wednesday evening's Liturgy of the Hours prayer all this was swirling in my head when we began:  "Evil men said:  Let us make the just man suffer; he sets himself against our way of life." Indeed he did....the Romans and the Jewish leaders didn't crucify

This morning, we are late in March of 2015.  We are up and around while dark early morning surrounds us as my husband still works in the trades and they start oh so early. We live in the outlying area of St. Louis by choice, so included in that choice is early rising to get to the job site on time. The drill has been the same for over 35 years...so it comes as naturally as breathing to us.  Being up late at night does not--much to the chagrin of many of our extended family members.  I do love getting up early.  There is so much missed if you sleep until the sun comes up. Today was no different.  A beautiful, light snow was falling as hubby pulled out of the driveway. Mind you, it is especially 'beautiful' at this time of year because we know it is short lived and, with temperatures hovering in the 60's and 70's for days...there is no fear of road issues.  I went back to the sun room to finish my morning prayer routine and my favorite tea.  Picture it.  The fireplace

As dismal as the news of late has been....and my last post...it occurs to me that I need to share the reason for the 'hope that is in me'.  I have spoken with so many people that are so fearful about all the real challenges we face in this relatively new year.  The fear is real and I have no intention of diminishing these problems. So, let's look at the bright side.  First, complacency is no longer the norm.  No matter where we go, people are talking about the wrong direction this nation has taken....it is no longer an 'opinion'...it is a given.  No matter where in the political spectrum you fall....you feel it. Humanity must first care if there is to be a significant shift in thinking.  If we are not at the 'care' level, we certainly are at the 'awake' level...and that is a beginning.  The problems are real...from our own economy to the terrorists doing what they do best--wreaking terror. I don't know about you, but I can't walk into a

With the headlines blaring every day of another tale of horror perpetrated by ISIS, the web and news talk worlds have been buzzing about an article in the March issue of  The Atlantic . Written by Graeme Wood, it is a lot to take in...and it is not a reading for the faint of heart, or for the "I know, let's just find these guys jobs" crowd. It is a religious movement at its core. Their passion and purpose is to serve their faith by bringing on the Apocalypse, the "End of Days." They will not be easily deterred. There is no "room" in their faith for "tolerance." There is Mohammad; there is the Koran; you agree, or you are dead. Let's put aside the utter uselessness of our present administration and, for that matter, our congress -- at least that is the view from here -- and let's focus on the real frightening truth in all of this. They are beheading en masse...and they are beheading Christians. Not "citizens" of this

It is Ash  Wednesday , 2015.  One of the first items I saw on the news was the shelters for the homeless in these frigid temperatures being filled to overflowing.  You can count on the stories....they are always the same.  In very cold weather, and in extreme heat. While I understand this is a 'safe' place for our news anchors and producers to go--it is as rhythmic as the seasons, and I wonder...."how long, oh Lord?"  You see, there are never solutions....only a reminder:  "They are out there.  Don't forget about the 'less fortunate.'"  And, just maybe, feel a bit guilty about your comfortable place in life... Being poor in the United States has become quite the enterprise.  Perhaps in my work as the director of a non-profit, I've seen too much.  But this must end.  From the politicians grandstanding on this particular issue to the leaders of our churches, who are quite comfortable mimicking these "feel good" solutions