The dictionary defines the word "obligation" as "an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment." When I was growing up, my mother taught me that I wasn't free to do what I wanted until I did what I...
When we were very young, my brother and I got up one early Christmas morning to see what we got for Christmas. Now, mind you, our parents were still sound asleep. But did that stop us? Did we go and wake them up first? No! And boy we had...
"I don't mean to say 'I told you so,' but I told you so!" I kind of doubt that he really didn't mean to tell me that. My buddy was listening to me complain about a job I had accepted for the summer that turned out to be a...
In 1972 Stevie Wonder released the song Superstition. The opening guitar licks are still one the the most famous opening lines of any song I remember from my youth. But the lyrics always fascinated me, I guess because I was raised in the rural South and we had lots...
Politics makes strange bedfellows. When I start talking politics, especially as a priest, it makes folks (rightfully) nervous. After all, as a priest I'm suppose to focus on being accessible and available to all people regardless of their positions on this or that political matter. And that's true. But I've...
Do you know the difference between a barrier and a threshold? It's actually quite an important distinction. The old saying goes "good fences make good neighbors" and there's no disputing that clear boundaries are necessary in relationships for there to be healthy communion between persons. But, what happens when a...
"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart, Fredo. You broke my heart." Man, I love that scene from Godfather 2. Such a powerful moment between brothers who had little scruples about death and betrayal. But what about that phrase about a broken heart? What does that mean,...
Life can be discouraging at times. A wise man once told me this during a particularly discouraging time in my life: "Son, don't quit when life is tough. You don't throw your ticket away just because the train goes through a dark tunnel!" I still remember that today. And...
"To everything (turn turn turn), there is a season, (turn turn turn) and a time to every purpose under heaven." I was 5 years old when that song was recorded and released by the Byrds. It was a song that was based on the verses in the 3rd chapter...
Christ is risen! I love this quote: "A word of encouragement after a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after a success." By the way, remind me sometime to tell you how I got the name "Barnabas." Let's face it, most of us struggle with feelings of inadequacy...
