John Coltrane Wasn’t Just Playing the Saxophone—He Was Preaching a Homily
By Donnie Yance September 23 marks the birthday of musical legend, John Coltrane. When Coltrane stepped to the microphone, he wasn’t just performing—he was giving a homily or a sermon. His saxophone became a conduit for what he called “spirit communications,” transforming concert halls into sanctuaries. Each solo was a sermon without words, each phrase […]
The Easter Connection: Death, Resurrection, and Transcendence
By Donnie Yance “There isn’t anything about a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.” –Buckminster Fuller The parallels between near-death experiences (NDEs) and the core narrative of Easter in Christian theology are both striking and profound. Easter commemorates Christ’s resurrection—the ultimate transition from death to new life—which resonates deeply with NDE […]
The Art of Living: Finding Balance in a Fragmented World
by Donnie Yance In our hyper-connected yet somehow disconnected modern world, many of us find ourselves longing for something deeper—a sense of wholeness that transcends the fragmentation of daily life. We seek not just physical health, but a harmonious existence that nourishes body, mind, and spirit equally. This integration isn’t just a luxury; it’s increasingly […]
Christmas and Chanukah: A Light Shining in The Darkness
Imagine a world without light. I know it can be really hard, right? Without this fundamental element there would be no sight, no plants, no animals, no life; just a cold, dark, lifeless, void. The Christmas season is the time to contemplate the birth of The Light of the World, and the Chanukah season is […]
In Death and Grief We Find Love
Reflections for Easter, Passover, and Spring By Donnie Yance Just before Christmas, I lost my youngest sister Gi Gi, to a sudden accident. She was in a coma for several weeks prior to her transition. As my sister hovered between life and death, I found myself in a deep state of grief and reflection. A […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]