Still preaching I see. Too bad God isn't with children being smashed by bombs everyday.

You 'got' me with the first 2 paragraphs as I have a sister heading into that long, dark journey and hope I can be as 'godly' as that faithful husband. The image of a stream bed channeling the words of God is also very powerful reflection. Thanks for brightening my day.

Wonderful, insightful article, Fred! I am alarmed every day by the indifference of so many people to what is going on in our society! Young people today seem to speak out and demonstrate without understanding exactly what they are protesting or asking for. There is no regard for others opinions or feelings. God must be weeping😒

Fred…. A very thought-provoking piece. Thank you. The first punch that is obvious and yet we are blind to it: Nothing of great significance is going to come out of the Israel-Gaza conflict, after all is said and done and disaster reigns supreme. That is the only “winner.” Secondly, the point you make about societal integrity and the disintegration of our own American society. Will healing happen in time? Just the latest “victory” for the Johnson, the present Speaker of the House, may be the smallest sign of hope that we might bond again and find some common ground as a whole people with a modicum of integrity.

Thanks for a lot of food for thought.

Fred, you tell a good story……details, the very humanistic touch, implanted memories that come to life again in the telling. The way you describe talking to God is the way I talk to Jesus. He seems more “real” to me than just - God.

Wish I had gotten to know you better at the AC.

Perfect timing for this article..I have been feeling empty in my prayer life when it is personal. Easier to pray for others or an intention. Prayers continue for Sandy, you, and the girls.

Peace

Mary Raymond

Who knew?! Thanks for the history lesson and food for thought. It’s so easy to be pessimistic about November but you are challenging us to speak up!

Thanks, Fred. Insightful. From my perspective, the root problem remains building a sexual ethic on an a piroristc understanding of natural law that is disengaged from reality. Informed by science, same sex attraction while not the stastistcal norm is, has always been and will forever be a natural variation within human nature. To build a sexual ethic completely on a biological and phsycalistic model precluding the relational component where love and true self-giving thrives, reduces LGBTQ folks to second class humans. It is shameful. Thanks, again. Art Holquin

Thanks ,Fred, your message of the Gospel ever rings true in the questions and insights you provide . My spouse ,Mike, of 30 years was an answer to prayer after my folks passed for the Creator knew my inner loneliness and he came into my life at 43 .Mike is agnostic but does not prevent me from practicing my faith and attending mass. There is a beautiful statement in one of the Eucharistic prayer that says for" those who seek you with a sincere heart". The story that was told to me while I was in seminary was the word "sincere " was stamped on the Italian marble to indicate no cracks a solid piece of marbles. The Creator has ever been faithful in my life and has blessed our commitment and legal marriage . Thank