My mom died on Saturday. Less than two weeks ago, she and I were plotting a visit of purchases at the Amish farms that surround her home so we could freeze fresh fruits and vegetables for the coming winter. A day later, she was rushed to the hospital. At 95, she had little reserve to … Continue reading Arlene Chase–In Memoriam
Ongoing Tragedy at the Border
Words fail me. Day after day, I feel mounting anger, shame, frustration. What is unfolding at our southern border becomes increasingly hard to witness and even harder to understand. Is this how far our government has fallen? How can we be so complacent? How can we be so inept? How can we be so cruel? … Continue reading Ongoing Tragedy at the Border
Eid Mubarak
This week, Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan with the holiday of Eid Al-Fitr, an Arabic term that means the "festival of breaking the fast" and marks the end of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of drawing closer to God. Not unlike the Christian season of Lent, it is … Continue reading Eid Mubarak
The Fire and the Fight
The fire was horrific. One of Western Civilization’s iconic landmarks was consumed in flame. For Catholics, watching the raging inferno was particularly poignant as it came during Holy Week. But for all people of the Abrahamic traditions—Jews, only days before the beginning of Passover; and Muslims, less than three weeks before the start of the … Continue reading The Fire and the Fight
Gifts of the Season
In The Carol of the Drum, the little boy’s dilemma is juxtaposed to the glory of the hoped-for King of Israel. The aspiring young percussionist is too poor to honor the king with a suitable gift. What can he do? He plays his drum for the baby Jesus. He plays “his best for him” and … Continue reading Gifts of the Season