Good Soil
I remember driving through the countryside in Ireland (oh, to travel to beautiful faraway places again…) and seeing field after field of tilled earth. The rich black soil was studded by white and gray stones, but the biggest rocks had been rolled to the edges and formed into fences and barriers, neatly demarcating the squares. […]
Hidden Things
There is an old Chinese story about a poor farmer whose father died in a faraway land. His neighbors called it bad luck. But the farmer said, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” With the inheritance, the farmer bought a large property with a great mansion. The neighbors called it good luck. The farmer replies, […]
Jesus in Disguise
A story circulates about Mother Teresa, who, it is said, replied to the question “How do you stand it when you have to serve some truly despicable person?” with sigh, saying, “I look deeply into their eyes and say to myself, “My Jesus, what an interesting disguise you are wearing today.” Many years ago, I […]
No Small Love
The teacher gathered together those whose hearts he had newly woven, and sent them out into the world. It was a rough-hewn start.* Dividing every household? Forgetting myself? Of all the teachings of Jesus, this is the one that loses me. Until now. A deeper look reveals something for this present time. A great yearning […]