Newborns are presented to their mothers who are overjoyed when they take the new babe in their arms. Here is your mother - a most wonderful meeting! They are exhausted from the pregnancy and labor, but this weariness is secondary to the gift of life they now hold. << MORE >>

All good gifts involve both giving and receiving. You must know this to be true. Anything that is thoughtfully and joyfully offered to us in giving can only be fully appreciated when we receive it with an open heart.

My Aunt, Liz Wells, passed away yesterday. She was 88 years old and had lived a wonderful life full of travel, adventure and experience.When we die it is the final letting go. We release our ties to this life. We rise gently on the currents of the next part of the journey. It is akin to floating in a hot air balloon, something Liz did on her 80th birthday while visiting Albuquerque. I've been contemplating this image. << MORE >>

We are in the Easter season and many of the liturgical readings are about the days after the resurrection of Jesus. The Christ died, but rose again, and in those early days following this amazing turn of events you can imagine that his followers were going through a great variety of emotions.

It is interesting that in the appearances following Jesus' resurrection the apostles often don't recognize him. In all of these appearances there is something in common. Jesus is seeking them out.<< MORE >>

What was it about the touch of Jesus? The Gospels hold a few different accounts of people being touched by Jesus and it having a profound effect. Most people were healed. But surely there were many times when Jesus touched someone in a loving way, perhaps a hand on the shoulder, a soft caress to the face, a blessing on the head of a small child or reaching out and helping someone up.<< MORE >>

The historic news of a newly elected pope yesterday brought great excitement and wonder. A great many firsts as the cardinals at the conclave selected Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Bishop of Rome. The new Holy Father, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, chose the name Francis. This is one of the firsts. He has a history of compassion. I find this to be very inspirational. << MORE >>

The election of a new pope will be a highly covered news event. It is also an extremely important process for the Catholic Church. During the conclave the cardinals will vote in privacy in the Sistine Chapel, beneath the historic fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. The new pope will have a lot of responsibility and the demands of the job are immense. The Pope presides over the Magisterium, the teaching office of the Church. He also is recognized as a world religious leader and, like it or not, there are political implications.

The Church teaches that the choosing of a new pope requires much prayer and discernment. The Holy Spirit inspires the electorate to make a good choice; that is the hope and prayers of Catholics. << MORE >>

Our intentions in life can be good, but our actions reveal more about our true nature. As wise people have stated, it is not what happens to you in life that matters, but rather how you respond to it. Going about our daily living with an intention to live peacefully is great. But if we encounter situations we don’t like and the tension mounts it takes a great deal of willingness, patience and humility to not strike out or back. << MORE >>

Love - it’s a powerful force. Some would say the most powerful force in the universe.

The Bible says God is love. Some would say God is the most powerful force in the universe.

I don’t say this simply because you or others believe it. I don’t say it to be fashionable or unfashionable. I don’t say it just because scripture does. I will admit to all of the above being an influence.

I believe God and love are one and all powerful because my own experiences tell me so. My heart cries out for completion and that doesn't come from people, places or things. << MORE >>

One of the hardest things for any of us to do is to change our ways for the better. Just accepting change in life is usually uncomfortable. Many people fight that acceptance to the point of frustration or even despair. Nevertheless, change is inevitable. The world and events are changing around us all the time. If we don't adjust to certain changes we fail to grow. And no growth means stagnation. Who wants that? << MORE >>

The moments that make up our lives are often filled with precious transcendence, but only when we let go long enough to be suspended in the moment. Maybe that’s one of our biggest problems. It’s so rare that we stop long enough to contemplate just what is going on in our lives. To do this you have to surrender your agenda, at least long enough to be open to a sometimes frightening or overwhelming unknown.<< MORE >>