January Sixth Remembered

Five years ago today, Donald Trump and his Stop the Steal movement, based on the lie that he won the 2020 election, inspired the first armed attack on the US Capitol since 1812. Although the assault ultimately failed, and with it the insurrectionists' goal of overturning the results of the 2020 election, its effects on the American psychi and on our country as a whole are deep and longlasting.

Holy Day Mass - January 1, 2026

Happy New Year!

 I’m delighted to see the back of 2025, a craptastic year if ever there was one. Problem is, I'm scared out of my mind what 2026 is going to bring. 

Still, as the old year closes, we have a few points of light, to whit:

Spain has applied international law to make it illegal for travel sites operating within its borders to list vacation packages, rental properties and the like in the occupied West Bank.

The House Judiciary Committee released the transcript and recording of Jack Smith’s – testimony concerning his investigations into Trump’s criminal activities.

On the other hand, Israel banned Doctors without Borders and thirty-one other humanitarian organizations from Gaza, illegally, since Gaza is not their territory to ban any person or organization from.

ICE’s terrorist activities continued through the Christmas season.

I’m tired. I’m disheartened. I’m frightened. But there are points of light, and they are created by people who are just as tired, disheartened and frightened as I am, and yet continue to hold fast to the law, to justice and morality and somehow find the strength to keep working, keep struggling.

Friends, as we enter this new year, remember that, as Glenn Kirschner says, it’s us who’s going to save us. Us by showing up, by reading and sharing the news, by talking to everyone we can, by believing and praying and stubbornly refusing to accept injustice, hatred and evil as normal, that shall overcome it and rebuild our beloved country and our beloved world in the light.

Happy New Year, my friends. May we go forward together.

Trying to Get the Feeling

- Photo by Listener

On breaking out the Christmas records this weekend, the first one I played was In the Swing of Christmas by Barry Manilow. Not only a lovely Christmas album, it's a fine Jazz album as well.

Even with seasonal music, I'm not really in the mood yet. Here's hoping I get a little ho, ho ho into my style in the coming days!

Advent Begins

Today we begin the period of preparation for the coming of Baby Jesus, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who became Man, entering into His creation to redeem us.

We should use this time not only to look forward in joy, but also to look into our own hearts and prepare them to be a place fitting to receive Our Lord.

It's hard in today's world, filled with violence, hatred and distrust. Here in the U.S. protests continue, some peaceful but some otherwise, over the grand jury's decision not to indict a Ferguson, Missouri policeman (who is white) for the fatal shooting of an unarmed teenager (who was black).

Though I am disturbed at the decision, it baffles me how setting fires and looting and other violent, lawless acts can possibly help the situation. I'm not even sure what good peaceful protests can do. The grand jury isn't going to reverse its decision. The people of Ferguson, the county and the state need to engage in some hard thinking and equally hard work if they want to correct the conditions that led to this latest outrage, not to behave like mindless hooligans. But smashing things is always easier than designing and building them.

In this season, perhaps more than any other, we need to concentrate on thinking, on designing and building the kind of environment around us and within us where Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love, the four daughters of Truth in Medieval thought, can thrive.

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Shorn of parades and football games, it is a day of reflection and, well, giving thanks for one's blessings. These things aren't so popular in today's world - perhaps they never really were, I can't tell. But in the mad press of commercialism and politics and celebrity news and all the rest of the rush-rush, gotta fill the twenty-four hour news cycle, exploit-umentary, mostly empty blather of modern life it is nice to be reminded to pause and think.

St Hugh of Lincoln

Today is the feastday of St. Hugh of Lincoln, a Carthusian monk, the first of his order to be canonized (1220).

A man of sanctity, uprightness and great energy, Hugh accomplished much in his life being an abbot, a bishop, a diocisan and educational reformer, a defender of human rights and a diplomat. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, he was the second most venerated english saint, behind only Thomas à Becket.

St. Hugh of Lincoln is the patron saint of sick people and especially sick children, shoemakers and, curiously, of swans.

Links

Hugh of Lincoln at Wikipedia Hugh of Lincoln at The Patron saints Index

Candelmas

- Photo by listener

Independence Day

Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day in the United States. This is a day to display unashamedly our love for this, our home, the greatest nation in the world.

On the other three hundred and sixty-four days in the year we can grumble about the glaring problems, deplore and protest the mistakes and stupid actions of our leaders, Democrats and Republicans alike (Stupidity is an equal opportunity employer.). Today we celebrate the beauty and grandeur of this land that reaches from sea to shining sea and beyond, the friendliness, generosity and ingenuity of her people, her many successes. Today is the day to sing America, to sing our love for her. Tomorrow we can get back to the business of setting her to rights.

Flag Day

As listener reminds us with this photo, today is Flag Day.