I’ve often pondered what it would have been like to meet Jesus when he walked the earth 2000 years ago. I think it’s clear that Jesus looked like a young Jewish man and did not stand out in his physical appearance… he wasn’t 8’ tall… he didn’t have any abnormal features… he didn’t talk differently. … Continue reading “Walking With Jesus” →

February 13, 1904 was the year my father, Cornelius Joseph Touhill, was born in St. Louis, Mo.  It was the year of the St. Louis World’s Fair in which the ice cream cone was invented. Teddy Roosevelt was president. The average life span was 47 years. Cary Grant was born in 1904, along with such notables … Continue reading “1904 — A Very Good Year” →

 I have a tendency to translate the current moment into the new normal for the long term. If I’m having a “good day”, I think all my future days are going to be good…peaceful, sunny, healthy, happy. On the other hand, if I’m having a “bad day”, I can tend to project that into the … Continue reading “Life Can Change In A Minute” →

We do a lot of celebrating in our family. In addition to holy days like Christmas and Easter and Pentecost, and the major holidays like Memorial day and the 4th of July, we have the family celebrations …. anniversaries of birthdays, weddings, baptisms, along with graduations, first communions, confirmations, etc. "Heavenly Banquet" Add all this together … Continue reading “Time To Celebrate” →

I was an altar server back in the late 1950’s. This was pre-Vatican II, so all the Mass responses were in Latin. To be honest I was not completely fluent in the responses.  I had the simple responses down… “Dominus Vobiscum (the Lord be with you)… responding, Et Cum Spiri Tu Tuo” (and with your spirit).  … Continue reading “Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti” →

Originally Posted April 16, 2020 I think going from the “profound to the mundane” can keep us somewhat sane. Too much of one or the other can drive us a bit crazy ?!+%*.  We are in the  midst of a “profound” moment with the Coronavirus pandemic, with implications far beyond anyone’s expectations. We’re dealing with computer … Continue reading “Keeping Sane” →

Originally Posted April 15, 2020 Trial lawyers have an old saying: “You never ask a question on cross examination to which you do not know the answer.” Perry Mason certainly followed that mandate in the TV series that was broadcast from 1957-1966. Perry never lost a case. I actually felt bad for the district attorney, Hamilton Burger, … Continue reading “Questions Are Powerful” →

Life is  hard when we’re sad. Yet, even Jesus had moment of sadness. He wept over the death of Lazarus. He certainly was in anguish in the Garden of Olives before his suffering and death on the cross. While Jesus had moments of sadness, he was never depressed.  What’s the difference? Well, “Everyone experiences moments of sadness. … Continue reading “Laugh Every Day” →

Wow, what a beautiful spring day….. it’s in the upper 60’s, blue sky, low humidity. I enjoy standing outside and taking deep breaths of the fresh air. I feel healthier by the minute. My spirit tends to improve on days like today…. sunny, bright, a perfect day.  Boy, what if I lived in Iceland. On … Continue reading “What A Day” →

Occasionally I’ll see a house painted a bright pink color and think “yikes, who in the world would ever paint a house that color”. You may see what you consider a strange looking car or house or outfit or haircut or whatever, and think the same thing… woe, what is that….. "Hey, I've Got Good … Continue reading Does My Enthusiasm Match The Message? →