In the shadow of a world so often defined by its fractures—marked by the “bombs, missiles, and drones” of our daily headlines—Maria Popova reminds us of the enduring beauty of the human spirit. She points us toward the poet-naturalist Diane Ackerman, who once posed a question that is as much a scientific paradox as it…
A Plea for Patience and Peace
I will get back to prayer, service, and sacrifice, I promise. But please put up with me for a weekend at least. Does what is going on in the Middle East seem like a video game? Drones attacking buildings, missiles and rockets being fired, and targeting individuals and “bad guys.” I wonder how we will…
The Sacred Encounter
The season of Lent was traditionally defined by the “three pillars”: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Yet, while we often embrace the rigors of fasting and the interior introspection of prayer, the third pillar—almsgiving—is frequently treated as a routine obligation rather than transformative. We tend to continue the community service we have always performed, maintaining our…
Lenten Balance
The Lenten season is traditionally defined by its somber colors and disciplined practices: sacrifice, study, prayer, meditation, and service. It is a time of “spiritual spring cleaning,” where we sweep away the distractions that clutter our relationship with God. However, this focus on austerity often leads to a common misconception—that Lent is a season meant…