Prayer for Ukraine
My heart and prayers are with the Ukrainian people during this tragic time of war. I feel a deep bond with Ukraine stemming from my spiritual and theological roots. Although I was baptized and raised as a Roman Catholic, and taught by Polish Franciscans, I am professed as a Secular Third Order Franciscan in the […]
Honoring Two of the Most Important Spiritual Leaders of Our World
With the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen Buddhist monk and peace campaigner who brought mindfulness to the West, the world has lost another mentor. Every time we lose someone who helps us live and act in accordance with our highest good, it is a tremendous loss to the world. Martin Luther King. Nelson […]
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Pilgrimage for Freedom
“The glory of God is the communion of all things fully alive” ~ The Irenaeus’s axiom Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an American Baptist minister, had a gift for capturing the hearts and minds of people with his homily-like discourses. His speeches—considered some of the most iconic of the 20th century— had a profound effect […]
Reflections on Christmas and the New Year
During this Christmas season, as I meditate on the image of the innocent, vulnerable baby Jesus, I am reminded of the opportunity for spiritual renewal. I think most of us can relate on some level, even those who do not identify themselves as Christians. Perhaps it is simply the idea of birth and a chance […]
Essential Oils with Anti-Viral Properties
Spices, herbal medicines, essential oils, and distilled natural products provide a rich source of compounds for the discovery and production of novel antiviral drugs. The determination of the antiviral mechanisms of these natural products has revealed how they interfere with the viral life cycle, i.e., during viral entry, replication, assembly, or discharge, as well as […]
Thanksgiving Musings: On Gratitude, Apples, and a Delicious Holiday Apple Cake
“We need to make the kind of society where it is easier for people to be good.” Peter Maurin (1877–1949) Many of us are looking forward to once again gathering with friends and family at Thanksgiving. Along with enjoying our favorite delicious holiday foods and other traditions, let’s remember that the heart of Thanksgiving is […]
The Healing and Unifying Power of Music
Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him.Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. Psalm 33: 1-3 Jazz as a Path to the Creator John Coltrane’s […]
Unitive Kindness and Paying-it-Forward
Working together as “One” for a healing cause: Why this is the best medicine of all “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ~Mother Teresa This statement by Mother Teresa has had a profound effect on my life’s work, which has evolved into […]
The Joy of Spring, Easter and Passover
Spring has arrived, the light has returned, and the trees and flowers bless us with their sweet aromas. But even in this season of hope, many people seem to be caught between joy and suffering. They describe feeling both hopeful and hopeless, or they describe an emotional numbness. Perhaps you’ve been feeling something similar. I […]