Originally Posted July 6, 2020 When the sun is shining and everything is going well, it’s easy to keep a commitment. I’m a great Giants fan right after they had won the Super Bowl…. I love the Yankees in the middle of their championship runs…. I was a proud to be a Catholic when Pope … Continue reading “Burning Our Bridges” →

They say you never forget how to ride a bike. That being said, I was a bit wobbly on a recent bike ride… no crashes, but I didn’t try any wheelies. I think I’ve developed a bit of muscle memory.  “When a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that … Continue reading “Spiritual Muscle Memory” →

I think most Americans are fascinated with the “underdog”… the person or team that doesn’t have a chance for success, yet gains the victory overcoming incredible odds.  Remember the movie “Rudy” ?  “In the late 1960s Joliet, Illinois, Daniel Eugene "Rudy" Ruettiger dreams of playing football at Notre Dame, but lacks the grades and money to attend, and the … Continue reading “From Vinnie To St. Vincent” →

Testing can reveal many things. How deep are my beliefs? How strong is my faith? It seems we don’t really know these answers until we are tested. When an engineer is testing a boiler to see if it’s working properly, he puts it under pressure and checks for leaks. You only see the leaks when … Continue reading “Testing” →

Originally Posted July 6, 2020 We may recall Jesus’s words to his friend and disciple, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.” (Luke 10:41)  He made it clear to her that this was not a good thing. In the turmoil of today’s world, I can find myself “troubled about many things”. While … Continue reading “Circle Of Influence” →

Back in high school a good friend of mine rebuilt the engine on a 1954 Ford V8 engine. He took it all apart, had the valves and pistons reground, and put it all back together. Expectations were high. On the big day, he got the engine started and took it for a spin. To everyone’s … Continue reading “Out Of Sync” →

Originally Posted July 2, 2020 Lenny Castellaneta wrote “God watches out for children, drunks and fools. ” Actually I never heard of Lenny until today, but others have said similar things. Anyway however I qualify, I feel that God has been watching out for me.  July 5, 1969 It was 1966 and a friend of … Continue reading “God Takes Care Of Us” →

Originally Posted July 1, 2020 Most of us can remember when some sports star made a dramatic error…perhaps a fumble or blowing an easy shot…. remember Scott Norwood missing the field goal against the Giants in the Super Bowl, or Bill Buckner letting the ball go thru his legs against the Mets in the World … Continue reading “To Fumble ….. You Have To Be In The Game” →

I’m in the process of reading one of my favorite books for the 3rd time. It’s the autobiography of Thomas Merton, entitled , “The Seven Story Mountain”. It’s his  spiritual odyssey from a young man growing up in the US and Europe,….  English prep schools, to Cambridge, and then to Columbia…a life of dissipation to gradual conversion, becoming … Continue reading “Our Weakness Should Not Terrify Us” →

A friend recently mentioned to my daughter that, “ when your dad gets up to speak and he has a little smile on his face, I know he’s going to tell a joke.” Hmmmmmmm, I didn’t know I was so predictable. In truth, often I don’t plan on telling a joke, but it just “pops … Continue reading “Is That Funny” →