Many pilgrims on the Camino tie a scallop shell to their backpacks or on the laces of their boots. The scallop shell is also used to mark the route one is meant to walk on the way to Santiago de Compostela. So, what’s the deal with that? The association of St. James with scallops takes usContinue reading “The Scallop Shell”
Tag Archives: finding the divine
God’s Jewels
Anyone who knows me will attest that I am fundamentally a city person. Having lived in New York City on and off for over 30 years, my instincts are well-honed and distinctly urban. I can emerge from the subway and my sense of direction is intact. I know the most likely corners on which to catchContinue reading “God’s Jewels”
One billboard outside Sandusky, Ohio
Each year my wife and I attend St. Bartholomew’s three-hour Good Friday service. Each year I wonder how on earth I will sit through three hours of music, extended periods of silent prayer, readings on the seven last words of Christ, and a homily on each. Each year the time disappears.
Abir and Smadar
A good pilgrimage leaves one with more questions than answers and this one has not disappointed. Several evenings we were blessed to have guests come and talk with us about the current situation here in the Holy Land. It’s hard not to be discouraged. How does one get to a just peace? What does thatContinue reading “Abir and Smadar”
Twenty characteristics that make a genius
In keeping with my desire to observe Advent by seeking out beauty (see my November 28th post) and my fascination with Salvator Mundi (see my November 14th post), I just finished reading Walter Isaacson’s masterful and insightful biography of Leonardo Da Vinci. Isaacson concludes his book by identifying twenty characteristics that make a genius.Continue reading “Twenty characteristics that make a genius”
Salvator Mundi
On Wednesday morning I met Christ on my way to work. If you want to catch him, he is currently at Christie’s auction house in New York City until Wednesday, November 15th at noon. After that no one knows where he will go. Stop by if you have a chance.
Finding God on the other side of Halloween
Let us stipulate that God seems very far from the commercial extravaganza that now surrounds Halloween. I am much more likely to find God on the other side of Halloween, on November 1st, when we observe All Saints’ Day. All Saints’ Day is a day to remember all of the saints who have passed throughContinue reading “Finding God on the other side of Halloween”
Binge Watching for God (Part One)
One of my vices is binge watching foreign television series on Netflix or Amazon. I’m not proud of this. Most of the time it’s cotton candy for the mind. But sometimes, when you least expect it, you find God.
My 25,000 year-old friend
Earlier this year I visited the Peche Merle caves, known for their prehistoric drawings, in the south west of France. Little is known about the purpose of the Peche Merle cave paintings. There is some speculation that they were used in sacred rituals. So, as I made my way down into the caves and alongContinue reading “My 25,000 year-old friend”
The Kumari’s Blessing (Part Two)
Author’s note: The second part of this story reminds us that, even after the most terrible of disasters, we can find hope and healing. I hold onto this as we count the losses of the most recent series of tragedies we are enduring. The morning after we received the Kumari’s blessing, my daughter and IContinue reading “The Kumari’s Blessing (Part Two)”
Rob's Reflections 