Inspired by Scholastica

  “No matter how sophisticated and complex and powerful our institutions, we are still exactly as dependent on the earth as the earthworms,” Wendell Berry once said. It is quite astounding to think that our individual well-being is dependent on the earth’s health and the good of all humanity. We are all connected so what affects the earth affects all created things. That is why care of the earth is so important and climate change brings with it such destructive forces. Arid ground or flooded ground is unproductive and useless. Extreme heat or cold destroys all living things. So our very survival is dependent on a well-cared for earth. We may think our modern discoveries and inventions can protect us from the devastation in other parts of the world. But people in areas that are no longer habitable will migrate to better places, maybe places where we live. If food can no longer be grown where the climate and earth is optimal, that eventually affects all of us. Many of us live i...

Colin Powell's death touched me deeply. He was a true hero in so many ways: in his military service to his country, in his position as secretary of state, in his role as head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  He was the confidante of several presidents and an advisor of many world leaders. He was distinguished and admired in so many areas, yet his support of the war with Iraq was a black mark on his exemplary career. He was not sure if Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and yet he approved the decision. Later he publicly admitted that was a mistake.  I admire his openness in acknowledging his error. It took courage and humility to admit that he was wrong about such a critical issue.   He considered running for president on the Republican ticket when Bill Clinton ran on the Democratic side. He decided against it since he admired Clinton. In recent years he became a Democrat because he no longer believed what the Republicans stood for. Another thing I admire about Powe...

 Sometimes I find myself anxious about my mistakes of the past: things I wish I had done differently, neglect for family members, kindnesses I was too busy to do, time I wasted, people I ignored. Other times I worry about the future: When will I die? What illnesses will befall me? Will I be a grumpy old person? Will I lose my sight or my ability to care for myself? Someone once said that mistakes of the past are called experience. We are meant to learn from them. That is a healthy attitude. And God will provide the strength we need to handle what will happen in the future. God holds all of us in his loving hands, caring for us when we are weak, lifting us up when we are discouraged, rejoicing with us when we succeed. The past is over and I have no control over the future. All I have is NOW. So now is the time to do those things that are important to me, that have significance in my life. Now is the time to write the letter I have been putting off. Now is the time to call old friend...

  Jonah in the Old Testament had a problem that most of us can identify with. God tells him to warn the Ninevites to repent or they will be destroyed, but when they repent, he is disappointed. In his heart  he wanted to see them punished for their evildoing. We might pray for someone to change their evil ways, but when they do, we have regrets because we feel they should be punished for their sins. We do not understand the bountiful, unlimited mercy of God. He rejoices more over one sinner who repents than over 99 who have no need of repentance. He lavishes his mercy on those who do not seem worthy of it in our eyes.  Although we may pray for those who have gone astray, we still have a bit of resentment when they are blessed by God. Our hearts may have some love and forgiveness, but there is a limit to how readily we will wipe away every trace of sin. Even if we have prayed for someone for many years, we still think he or she ought to do some difficult task before they ar...

 Many religious communities own extensive acres of land for beauty, conservation, and perhaps gardening. As communities age and have fewer members, they are undoubtedly concerned about future uses of their land. If they sell it to have more financial resources for their members, it is likely to be used for commercial purposes and encroach upon their buildings.  Some women's communities are choosing to put part of their land in the hands of a land conservancy agency. The agency agrees to preserve the land when the sisters can no longer care for it themselves. This allows the religious community to ensure that their land will continue to provide beauty and be cared for in perpetuity even if the sisters have to close their doors.  This is a striking example of choosing conservation over economic gain. They evidently feel that it is more important to keep the land intact than to sell it for real estate. This is taking into consideration future generations who will have oases ...

  Self-love is often misunderstood. It sounds like we don’t care about other people. It sounds selfish and self-centered. Yet it’s the most important step we can take toward health and happiness. Health care professionals talk a lot about self-care. They tell us to be aware of our needs and take care of them. Otherwise, we will not be able to care for others in a healthy way. My uneducated mother used to tell me not to be a door mat for others, to stand up for myself. She had the right idea. Sometimes it’s hard to love ourselves when we make mistakes or look at our weaknesses. Everything looks bleak, and we see others as so much better, so much more loveable. Negative self-talk can be very debilitating.We need to look at our mistakes as opportunities to learn from, our weaknesses as steps to build on. Many of the world’s great leaders tell how they acquired self-knowledge from their mistakes. Sometimes we need help from friends or counselors to see ourselves as worthwhile and v...

 Whenever I am tempted to get on my pity pot, I go to visit the sisters in our nursing facility. They are mostly in their 80s and 90s and have various disabilities due to aging and illness. There's Sister Jeremiah who is confined to a wheelchair after having a stroke. She has a brilliant mind but can no longer navigate on her own. Then there's Sister Rose who is also confined to a wheelchair after a botched surgery. In addition, she now has cancer on her nose. There's Sister Vera who had a stroke and is now in and out of reality. Then there is Sister Adele who is confused most of the time. She was a college professor and poet before drifting into senility.  Sister M arlene has Parkinson's disease and her hands tremble most of the time. Sister Nancy has rheumatoid arthritis in her hands and feet and has fallen several times. Sister Bertha is confined to a wheelchair due to weakness in her legs. Sister Imelda has dementia and is always wants to visit her parents. Sister G...