Ellicott City

August 24, 2025 Peace and Good, As you can see by the header, I have been all this week. I was actually more home than usual, for I was in my room the whole time getting over covid. I cam down with what I thought was a bad cold this past weekend, but something was just not right. I did not have all the symptoms I would have expected, and had some strange ones. I finally tested myself on Monday morning, and sure enough, I was positive. The time of recovery in my room was good. I read and listened to audiobooks a lot, and I was able to finish an editing project upon which I had been working (revising some of the Good News Notes for reprint). This week I will be at home, largely catching up on appointments that I had to move from this past week. Then a week from Monday, I and fr. Emmanuel will be heading out to California for a retreat at Santa Cruz, a town on the ocean just below San Francisco. I have noticed an interesting development these past months. More and more I am being invited to sessions of faith sharing groups to do a question and answer. I really like doing this sort of thing. It gives people a chance to ask questions of someone which they might have been pondering for a long time. Furthermore, it make me think anew about certain things, and that is always healthy. In theology, it is so easy to use definitions which sound right, but which people (including oneself) don't really understand. I have finished some reading and listening: 7 Days with Pope Francis by Anthony Ciorra This is a rather short presentation of some of the major teachings of Pope Francis in a retreat format. Thus, it is not simply a question of what he taught, but also how to apply those lessons to our spiritual life. It was good, but not tremendously profound. John of the Cross: Poet and Mystic by Keith Egan This was a tremendous study by Learn25 of the life, teachings and writings of St. John of the Cross, the Spanish mystic and contemporary of St. Theresa of Avila. Egan is a Carmelite scholar who is part of the Carmelite John of the Cross study forum. I would recommend this course to anyone who either was interested in John of the Cross or mysticism in general. Gospel of John 101 by Donald Senior This is a Learn25 course on the Gospel of John. Senior is a great Johannine scholar. His overview was very good and informative, but I cannot say that I learned too much that was new. A History of Hitlers Empire by Thomas Childers This is a Great Courses presentation of 24 lectures on the history of the rise, reign and fall of the Hitler empire. I cannot say that I learned anything new, but the course was well presented and informative. Nature of Earth: An Introduction to Geology by John Renton This is a Great Courses study of geology. The professor is good, but this is the type of course that I would like to watch more than once. One of the most interesting thing I learned was how ground water, which we are using at a tremendous rate, is not replenished for many decades if not longer. He also deals with the discovery and use of fossil fuels like oil and coal. A Murder, A Mystery, and a Marriage by Mark Twain This is an unpublished story (until recently) which deals with an ambitious father (ambitious for his own resources) and how he tries to arrange the marriage of his daughter with the man who would bring him the most profit. It is typical of Twain for its twists and turns as well as for the mocking tone taken concerning the greed and pettiness of the father. Descartes in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern Strathern has put together a series of very short outlines of the lives of famous philosophers and theologians. He presents the person as well as the theories of the person being studied. This volume speaks quite a bit of the personality of Descartes and why his philosophical skepticism led him to the simple conclusion of “I think, therefore I am.,” a conclusion that later philosophers would challenge. Who is Jesus?: An Introduction to Christology by Brian McDermott This is a series of lectures on the person of Jesus, both as revealed in Sacred Scripture and as pictured in the theology of the early Church. The professor speaks of some of the more recent Christological developments as well, showing the strengths of shortfalls of the various positions. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity by Robert Louis Wilken I was apprehensive when I began to listen to this particular book. I was worried that it might have been a very parochial presentation of early Church history in order to buttress the author’s own belief system. That is not what I found. It was a balanced history of the development of Christianity. It even dealt with many of the Churches of the East which is something that is often left out of the story. The Joys of Ancient History by Various Authors (Great Courses). This is a Great Courses anthology of 36 lectures taken from other courses that deal with various aspects of ancient history. The topics deal with history, myth, religion, sociology, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the collection and would recommend either this presentation or the courses from which the lectures are taken to anyone. Classical Mythology by Elizabeth Vandiver This is an overview of mostly Greek (with a small amount of Roman) mythology. The presenter is very good, and she begins by examining many of the theories on the development and meaning of classical mythology (e.g. sociology, psychology – whether Freudian or Jungian), the theories of Campbell and others. I find her opinions very balanced and are taken not to advance some pet theory but to try to come to grips with the myths as they stand. Books that Matter: City of God by Charles Mathewes This is an overview of the book written by St. Augustine after the fall of Rome to describe the relationship between the earthly reign and the heavenly reign, the earthy Rome and the heavenly Jerusalem. This is a Great Courses presentation, and the professor outlines the influences upon Augustine, his theology and philosophy, and the history of the times. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

August 11, 2025 The Feast of St. Clare Peace and Good I have been busy covering Masses and Confessions at the Shrine and the Nursing Home this past week. A number of friars are away for their vacation, and I have been asked to fill in a bit. It is not overwhelming in any way. I have been able to get some work done on daily reflections, but I have not had time for any writing. This past Saturday I and Br. Nick Romeo presented a workshop on the Canticle of the Creatures. Anna, who is the head of our publicity department, had suggested it since this year is the 800th anniversary of that poem (where we get the idea of Brother Sun and Sister Moon). I took the morning speaking about the scriptural background, and he took the afternoon dealing with Franciscan spirituality. We had a great turnout. It should be posted on youtube sometime this or next week. I still have a workshop in mind about the Nicean Creed, given that this is the 1,700th anniversary of that formula. I still have to work out the details, and in the meantime I am researching it a bit. The weather has been blessedly moderate, although these next few days will climb back up into the 90's. I finished some reading and listening: Captive Queen by Alison Weir This is a fictional account of the relationship between Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England and Normandy. The author, who has written many books on the monarchy of England during this period, is more than a bit voyeuristic in sexual terms. I have to say I was disappointed because I got the impression that whenever the author did not know what was really going on, then she felt obliged to throw in the complaint that Henry was robbing Eleanor of her authority or to get the two into bed. Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart This is an overview of bugs that have often proven to be dangerous (to crops, to animals, to people, etc.). Each presentation is short, and the series proves to be a type of anthology. The author is matter of fact, not sensationalistic in any way. Daoism by James Miller This is an explanation of the basic concepts of Daoism and its history, especially in China. It is much more mixed up in mythology and body power flow and ideas such as this. I cannot say that I understood much of what was said, but it was a good first look at the topic and a challenge to go more into depth in the future. Extreme Offenders: Psychological Insights by Katherine Ramsland This is a study of people who have done truly terrible things. The presenter who is a scholar in this matter is clear, honest and discerning. It is not a course (great courses) for the timid, but it does delve into often hidden parts of our society. Language Families of the World by John McWorter This is a study of linguistics throughout the world and the ages. The professor who makes the presentation is well informed and knows how to present a subject that could easily be mind numbing boring in an enjoyable way. I believe that this is the type of presentation that I would want to watch again in the near future to pick up some of what I missed, but even so, I learned a lot. Delphi Collected Paintings of Edvard Munch by Peter Russell One of the few paintings I had ever seen from Munch was the Scream. This overview of his work and his life shows that the angst expressed in that painting was due to his family tragedies (deaths of a number of close relatives, mostly due to tuberculosis) as well as his inherited mental illness. It is interesting, though, that while his anxiety ridden paintings are emphasized, few speak of his beautiful nature scenes. Maybe nature was the only place he was able to find the peace he so desperately sought. Anaximander by Carlo Rovelli This is the story of one of the first Greek philosophers. He was part of the movement which no longer attributed changes to the gods but rather sought natural forces to explain them. Anaximander, for example, was able to propose that the earth was floating upon nothing rather than lying on some foundation (thus changing our view of the cosmos). While the scientific exposition was very good, the author gets caught up in an anti-religion polemic that was embarrassing because of his histrionics. The Internment of German Americans during World War II by Charles River Editors We often hear about the internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II, but this short book deals with that of German Americans (and Italian Americans). While there were some real sympathizers and even spies for the Germans, most of those sent to camps or repatriated to Germany were simply people who had come from Germany in the inter-war years. Their story is not all that well told, largely because they had to swear a secrecy oath before they were released. This is a part of history that we often don’t hear about. Spies in Tudor England by Charles River Editors This is the story of the network of spies (internal and external) during the reign of Henry VIII and especially of Elizabeth I. Some of the spy craft was political, but there was also religious spy craft as well (which the author of this short treatment is hesitant to admit). I know that Catholic forces were not entirely blameless of the situation, but I don’t like it when they are presented as the only bad actors in a confused situation. Popes and the Papacy by Thomas Noble This is a Great Courses treatment of the papacy in 24 lectures. The professor is very respectful to the tradition and teachings of the papacy. He is not hesitant to admit shortcomings (and certain periods of the papacy that were terribly scandalous). Yet, his goal is not to push one position over another, but to be as clear as he can about confusing details. I very much enjoyed his treatment. Life in Ancient Rome by Lionel Casson This is a short overview of some of the history and customs of ancient Rome. It especially deals with the period which runs from the beginning of the imperial state to the end of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. It does not deal with any topic in depth, but is a good read nevertheless. Turning Point by Jeffery Deaver This is a short novel about catching a serial killer by setting a trap that he could not resist. The story is well written and filled with twists and turns. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude

Ellicott City

August 4, 2025 Peace and Good, I hope you are all well. Here in Baltimore we are enjoying several days of beautiful weather after a very long stretch of uncearable heat. I have been at home helping out at the shrine and the nursing home. A good number of friars are on vacation these days, so the needs of those two sites are a bit more than is usual, but I really don't mind. I have been doing a lot of spiritual direction, and I have had to hit the pause button a few times in these months to ask people to wait for a couple of months before I would begin with them. The reason is that I tend to get a rush of new people, and I don't want to start new people too soon lest I get confused about their story. At this point I am asking people to get in touch with me at the end of October. I always feel a bit guilty about saying this, but I have to keep remembering that I cannot save the whole world all by myself. I hope to start of bit of writing in the next couple of days. I have to revise some of the Good News notes for reprint. I also have a project to do a guided tour of a series of panels which speak of the life of St. Anthony. That one is going to take more time than I expected, but I find I can only really write things when I am in the mood. I finished some reading and listening: Medieval Christianity by Christopher Bellitto Bellitto is proving to be one of my favorite professors. This is a Learn25 presentation, and Bellitto manages to present a good overview of the history and customs and religious movements of Medieval Christianity. He is very balanced in his approach, and very, very informative. I would recommend any of his courses to anyone who would ask. The Enduring Genius of Frederick Law Olmstead by Adam Rome This is a short Great Courses presentation on the designer of Central Park in New York City. I also found out in this presentation that he did quite a bit of park design in my native city, Buffalo. The professor speaks especially of Olmstead’s theories concerning the city’s obligation to provide a proper living space for people to gather beyond class divisions. His theories of park development have much more to do with the need of people for breathing room in a chaotic environment than anything else. Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis Ellis is one of the preeminent authors about the revolutionary period, and this book deals with the summer of 1776, from the situation in Boston and the evacuation of British troops there, to the defeats that Washington suffered in the New York area, to the movement toward independence at the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. His treatment of the topic is masterful. Great Masters: Stravinsky by Robert Greenburg This is a great courses presentation of the great composer Stravinsky. The professor is well verses and funny, but I cannot say that I enjoy Stravensky’s music. I find it too modern for my taste and strange. Greenburg is a big fan of his music, but I just don’t get it. Saint Peter: Upon This Rock by Raymond Collins This is a Learn25 presentation of the role of St. Peter, especially as seen in the writings of the New Testament. I had greater expectations than were met in listening to this course. Too much of it is simply a recitation of relevant verses. There are a few good insights, but not all that many. Strong Men Armed by Robrt Lackie This is a history of the battles fought by the Marines during the Pacific theatre of World War II. There is an overview of the Marine’s role and the American plans for the war, but also there are considerable first hand accounts of what happened. It runs from Guadalcanal to Okinawa. Resurrection and the Afterlife by Candida Moss This is the presentation by an English theologian about early beliefs in the resurrection and the afterlife (before, during and after the time of Jesus). I did find this treatment quite useful, especially in terms of the apocalyptic movements in scripture and in the Jewish community at the time of Jesus (which helps us understand how his listeners would have interpreted his message). Nature Watching: How to Find and Observe Wildlife by Casey McFarland This is a Great Courses video presentation on the practice of tracking wildlife. I listened to it to get general ideas about the practice and not necessarily to be able to track deer or bear in the woods. McFarland is very excited about his material, and he presents his insights in an almost religious atmosphere (without exaggeration). It was quite good. The Scorpion’s Tail by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston This is the story of the discovery of a dead body and a treasured golden cross that leads to greater discoveries on a Native American reservation and an Army base in the middle of nowhere. The action is good and convoluted (in a good way). The one flaw I saw in the novel was the need of the authors to throw in the presence of Inspector Pendergast. He has nothing to do with the story at all except that he is the mentor of Cory, the lead FBI agent on the investigation. Yet, he shows up in the last scene to make a discovery that no one even knew was there. Liberty and Crisis: The History of the American Revolution during 1776 by Charles River Editors This is a short (100 page) presentation on the beginning of the revolutionary war, dealing especially with what happened in the Boston area at the start of the war, the production of the declaration of independence, and the New York campaign. Cave of Bones by Anne Hillerman This is part of a series of books about police officers in the Navaho police force and their attempt to solve crimes on the reservation. In this case, there is a confusing array of the disappearance of a guide, the illegal sale of native artifacts, tribal politics, etc. The series was begun by Anne’s father, and she has carried on the story with a slightly different spin. Both authors are good and worth reading. Opium by Martin Booth This is a study of the use of opium throughout the ages. Booth speaks of its chemistry, of the various products that can be obtained (e.g. heroin, opium powder, codeine, etc.). He also speaks of attempts to limit or spread its use over the ages (think of the opium wars in the 19th century when the British empire fought for the right to sell its drugs in China). One of the elements of the story that was very interesting was how governments and spy agencies (including the CIA) have been involved in its growth and marketing (at times actively, at other times by ignoring its promulgation). Boss Tweed by Charles River Editors This is a short presentation on the career of the head of the Tammany Hall group in New York city who governed politics in the city for a couple of decades after the Civil War and who used their political and juridical power to rob the city of millions and millions of dollars, as well as fixing elections during that period of time. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude