Ellicott City

February 2, 2026 Candlemas Day Peace and Good, I have been in Ellicott City, doing a lot of spiritual direction work. I am catching up from the appointments I could not make while I was in Texas giving a retreat to our students, and also to all the appointments that had to be cancelled in the recent bad weather. Here in Baltimore we have had the coldest week I every remember. Hardly any of the snow that fell a week ago has melted. I think that will change a bit this week, but it will probably make conditions in the evening and night dangerous for all the melted snow will refreeze as ice on the roads. I have a couple of writing projects that I am working upon as time permits. One is to revise a number of the Good News Notes that I wrote many years ago. The other is I am doing short reflections for the Sundays of this year on the life of St. Francis and his spirituality (given that this is the year of St. Francis) and the other is to do short reflections for Tuesdays of this year (showing how St. Anthony was a good disciple of St. Francis). Then there are the normal daily podcasts on the readings for the Mass of the day. I don't have any big events in these coming weeks, other than two parish missions in the area. I have been doing a number of one time events (talks, question and answer sessions, etc.) for faith sharing groups in the area, and I truly enjoy that kind of work. I have finished some reading and listening: Wittgenstein in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern This is part of a series of short books on philosophers produced by Paul Strathern, a very good historian on things British. This volume was very confused because the life and teachings of Wittgenstein were very confused. He especially dedicated himself to studies in language and logic, and more than once he declared all other philosophy to be dead. At the very least, Wittgenstein is seen to be self-contradictory and an incredible egoist and strange. The Bombardment of Fort Sumter by Jonathan Gianos-Steinberg This is a short account of the early days of the Civil War, for the secession of the Southern States to form the Confederate States, to the role of Presidents Buchanan and Lincoln in those days, to the decision of the Southern States to force the issue at Fort Sumter, a Federal fort in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Gauguin by Delphi Art Books This art book presents the story of Gauguin who started his career as a stock broker and then decided to become an artist. I liked Gauguin’s pastoral works, but I found his paintings of humans a bit odd. He was influenced by the time he spent in Martinique and Tahiti. I have to say that he will not be one of my favorite artists. Tales of the Cryptids: Mysteries of Creatures that May or May Not Exist by Kelly Milner This is a collection of stories about mythic animals that have been spoken of for centuries. The author recounts how much evidence there is for the existence of these creatures. He also presents a couple of stories of animals that everyone thought were mythic, but then turned out to actually exist. The First Paul by Marcus Borg This is a study of the theology of St. Paul, especially from the viewpoint of his radical sociology (speaking well of both Jews and pagans and being, mostly, considerate of the role of women). Borg argues that many of the phrases that moderns dislike about Paul were actually from the letters which he did not write (e.g. the Pastorals, Ephesians, Colossians, etc.). His insights are very good, even if I think he pushes his point of view a bit too much. 5 Lessons from Augustine by Oswald Sobrino This is part of a series of short presentations on various theologians and philosophers in which Sobrino quotes various sayings of the main figure and then discusses the value of what has been said. This is the first volume that I have read. It seemed as if Sobrino was using Augustine simply to say what he felt needed to be said. The Catch by Mick Herron This is the story of a spy whose job is not really in the field, but much more to be the tender of other not so important people, one of whom has decided to accept agency funds but not be accountable to his superiors. The Chinese Zodiac in Cultures and Traditions by Cindy I-Fun Cheng This was a series of lectures explaining the animals associated with the Chinese Zodiac and other factors that enter into establishing a prediction for people. The professor relates the mythological background of each of the animals and how they relate to people today. Polar Explorations by Multiple Professors This is a collection of various topics on life and weather and wildlife and topographical issues at the North and South Pole. The various professors are obviously excited about the topics they discuss. The lectures are a bit uneven in value, especially since some are dedicated to particular, narrow topics (e.g. photography in these areas). Nevertheless, the course as a whole was very good. The Battle of the Kalka River by Charles River Editors This is the story of a major battle between the Mongols and the troops of the various Russian city states. The Russians, being terribly disorganized, were soundly defeated and then and later they passed under the yoke of the Mongols. One good thing, however, is that the Mongols really only asked for tribute and did not interfere with the culture or language or religion of their conquered peoples. The Enemy by Lee Child This is one of the Reacher stories by Lee Child. In this case, a general dies of a heart attack while he is on his way to a mysterious meeting. Reacher must sort out what he was doing in a motel far off his expected travel plans, and also what the meeting would have been all about. It turns out to be a much more involved mystery that one would have expected. Mozart: His Life and His Music by Robert Greenberg This is a Great Courses presentation, part of a series on great composers. Greenberg is insightful and funny at the same time. He gives a very good insight into the work and the person of Mozart, dispelling many of the myths that have arisen about him over the ages. Mozart comes across as a brilliant, obsessed, slightly broken composer who was probably too inventive for his time (but would be appreciated much more in years to come). Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude