The following post was written by Aimée O’Connell, founder of the Mission of Saint Thorlak – which is now found at autismconsecrated.com. I am also very involved with that website. It seeks to support ministry both by and for autistic people, guided by the Way of Saint Thorlak. Please feel free to browse that site. I offer this post here because I believe it will be encouraging for autistic people who follow my blog. I hope it may be enlightening for people who seek to understand and love their autistic sisters and brothers. Continue reading “Autism in the Pandemic: When We Don’t Conform”
Moving Forward with COVID-19
This morning, I sense the need and the desire to return to the topic of coronavirus once more.
Why?
Well, for one thing, I have written two posts on this already. Like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, I feel an urge to make this a trilogy!
Secondly, the situation is rapidly evolving. Some of my comments over the weekend are already outdated. Many cities and states and countries are severely restricting or closing down restaurants, bars, and other businesses that deal with significant numbers of people daily.
Thirdly, I have had many responses from people, both online and in person, to my weekend posts that have given me the opportunity for further reflection on all that is happening. Continue reading “Moving Forward with COVID-19”
The End Is Coming! Rejoice! (Really!)
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C): Luke 21:5-19
Here are a few quick scenarios. See what images and emotions arise in your minds as you read each of them.
“Just wait until your father comes home!”
In today’s mail, you find a friendly note from the IRS, inviting you to an audit of your taxes from last year.
You have an appointment to see your doctor. You know that you have gained weight since your last appointment and have done very little of what your doctor advised you to do last time. Continue reading “The End Is Coming! Rejoice! (Really!)”
From Anxiety to Love
Third Sunday of Lent (C): Luke 13:1-9
Perfect love drives out fear. – 1 John 4:18
As we pick up the story of Jesus as told by St. Luke, Jesus and His disciples are making their way through Galilee and headed for Jerusalem. Jesus has been telling His disciples that, in Jerusalem, He will suffer, die, and rise again, in order to bring repentance, forgiveness, and salvation to all who will believe in Him.
On the way, they meet people who tell Jesus how Pilate, the Roman governor, had butchered some Galilean pilgrims as they were offering sacrifice in the very Temple itself. Why did these people say this to Jesus? Were they troubled by His preaching about being reconciled with one’s enemies, and so brought up this atrocity, as if to say, “What about this? How can we be reconciled with people who would do such things?” Were these people trying to warn Jesus that this might not be the best time for a Galilean rabbi who had attained some notoriety to appear in Jerusalem? Or, was it the age-old question of why such atrocities happen – and why did they happen to these people? Were they somehow being punished for some serious sin? Or, if this was “just one of those things”, where was God in all this? Continue reading “From Anxiety to Love”
Anxiety in Advent?
Third Sunday of Advent (C): Philippians 4:4-7
I have decided, dear readers…. to follow Jesus? Check. Already did that; still doing it! This time, I’m going to do something I haven’t done before. I’m going to offer you a rerun! Below, you’ll find the same post I offered over a year ago, when our second reading for this Sunday was also the second reading then. Having re-read it, I believe that it will work as it stands!
So, asking your indulgence as I offer you a rerun… here goes! Continue reading “Anxiety in Advent?”