Ellicott City

December 14, 2025 Peace and Good, I am writing this blog looking out the window at a beautiful snowy forests scene. We received a couple of inches of snow last night and everything is covered with just enough snow to make it the perfect winter scene. The snow has stopped, at least for now. I have to admit that being from Buffalo, it is what we would call a light frost, but here in Baltimore they judge it differently. I have been busy with spiritual direction these weeks, often having three or four people each day (in addition to Masses and confessions). It is a good rhythm, and i feel very useful doing this. I have also started to write a new series of articles for the Messenger of St. Anthony, the magazine for which I have written since 1982. This series is on particular archaeological discoveries and how they impact on Biblical knowledge. None of the discoveries is tremendous, but in archaeology, even the smallest things can give one insight into the larger society. I will be here in Baltimore until early January when i will fly down to San Antonio to preach a retreat to our students down there. My elbows and arms are healing nicely (after my fall in California). The x rays I had this week show that the broken bones are healing. My left arms is about 95% back to normal, while my right arm is 80% (which is confirmed by how well healed each arm is). I have finished some reading and listening: Hannibal: The Military Genius who almost conquered Rome by Eve MacDonald This is a well presented visual biography of the Carthaginian military leader who invaded Italy and consistently defeated Roman forces, and yet who lost the war because the Roman didn’t know when to give in. The professor gives a great account of the background of Hannibal, his military techniques, the difficulties Rome faced in this war, etc. The Fetterman Massacre by Charles River Editors This was one of the largest defeats of the US forces as they set up forts on Native American territory in the Western States. This one occurred in the Powder River area in 1866 (a decade before Custer was killed). The first half of the book tells the story of how the Native Americans camping around Fort Kearney learned the techniques used by the soldiers and then baited and ambushed them. Fetterman took a large contingent out to defend some soldiers who were cutting wood and had been attacked, but he went too far and was attacked by a massive force. The second half of the book speaks of the question of who was to blame for what happened. Babylonian Mythology and Legends by Chronicle Press This short presentation gives an outline of the pantheon of Babylon and Sumerian and Akkadian cultures. It is not as organized or as complete a presentation as I would have wished, especially because these are cultures that interacted with Canaanite and Jewish cultures. The Secession of the South by Jonathan Gianos-Steinberg and Charles River Editors This short presentation speaks about the process of the session of the southern States upon the election of Abraham Lincoln and especially after he called up the militia after the attack on Fr. Sumpter in the Charleston harbor. The author makes very clear that the states seceded because of slavery and not to protect states rights. Aquatic Cryptids by Chronicle Press This is part of the cryptid (legendary but scientifically unproven) animals, this one dealing with sea creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster. The author gives the various stories without fighting for their veracity or falsity. It is a good overview. Baltic Mythology and Legends by Chronicle Press This is a short catalog of some of the pagan gods of the Baltic region. The one thing I did not like about the presentation is the obvious bias against Christianity, as if it destroyed something that is good and precious. Furthermore, the author makes it sound almost as if these gods are still being worshipped. While I believe that there are some surviving pagan customs in the cultures of that area, I doubt that people are running out to the woods to make sacrifice. River of the Gods by Candice Millard This is the story of the discovery of the source of the Nile River by two British explorers, Richard Burton (not the actor) and John Speke. The book covers both their exploration efforts, and their prickly personalities. It is astounding how two men of such willingness to suffer all sorts of difficulties were so petty and vindictive in their relationship with each other. Covert Operations in World War II by Charles River Editors This is an outline of a few of the covert operations of the British and American espionage services during World War II. I have read other books on this topic which I found much more informative, but that is to be taken for granted given the short nature of the Charles River presentations. Meister Eckhart’s Book of the Heart by Jon Sweeney and Mark Burrows This is a book of poetry based on the theology/spirituality of the German Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart who emphasized the unknowability and love of God. I usually don’t like poetry all that much, but this volume was a pleasant surprise. Pierre-August Renoir by Delphi Art Books This is a good presentation of the art of Renoir and an outline of his life. The Delphi series presents a chronicle of the artist’s life illustrating the points being made with some of his masterpieces. It then shows all of the extant pictures one after another. I enjoy the various volumes of the series. Raoul Wallenberg by Hourly History Raoul Wallenberg was the Swedish businessman/diplomat whose efforts saved thousands of Jews in Budapest when the Nazis gained control of the country and began deporting the Jewish people to the extermination camps. Ironically, he was arrested by the Soviets when they conquered the city and was never seen again, probably dying in a prison or prison camp in their Gulag. Canine Cryptids by Chronicle Press This is part of the chronicle press series which cover a number of interesting topics. Cryptids are hidden or unknown animals (at least from a scientific viewpoint). This book presents the stories without fighting for or against their veracity. The only problem with this book and others in this series is that they seriously need a better editor. It is not unusual to have lines or even paragraphs repeated within a couple of pages. The History of Superheroes by Lan Dong This is a Great Courses/Audible presentation of the history of superheroes in the comics and video. It is a short presentation, and it is good to get a perspective about which heroes worked well at what era and why. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude