It’s not exacerbating to say we have crises with many of our major institutions. This post is not the place for a major expose, but let me just mention a few to make my point. Business: Enron and the sub-prime mortgage debacle; Media: MSNBC, FOXNews, HuffPost & Daily Caller (Yes, now all sides can be upset, but in my opinion neither of those sources can be relied for anything close to accuracy.); Politicians: I don’t even have to mention names; Religion: clergy scandals and inter-religious violence; Education: Poorly educating public school and skyrocketing higher education costs. I think my point is made. But the response it tricky – it…

Did you know the Our Father is about two tweets long. Maybe the reason God wanted us to be short in our words to Him is because he wanted to make sure we left time for him to speak to us. When at a loss for words, use the Our Father. When using our own, keep it to two tweets, pause, let God answer and then another two tweets and pause. You get the point… Tip: Say a short prayer about something you care about (two tweets worth). If it isn’t too sensitive and personal, maybe you could post two tweets. It might help somebody else. Click here for today’s…

  Reflection of the Day: So many “religious” mains roads lead to the same answer: love your neighbor as yourself, do unto others as you would have them do unto you; measure out to others as you want to be measured; forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others. I think I get it. But yet on the highway, I am kind of happy when the other guy who sped pass me gets a ticket and at the same time I want mercy for me when I get pulled by the highway police. I do think this is harder for some of us then others and I think for many…

  Check out the list of food pantries: volunteer, bring some food, say hello to a hungry neighbor in line. Lots to think about and do: “repairing the breach; delighting in the Sabbath; following Jesus; hanging out with sinners.” Plenty to do today, but these are too many for one day – and somewhat complex. We’re going to borrow some of these for another Lenten day. Tip: Remember those who do not have as much as we may have to eat. Make sure to donate food to a food pantry, or simply give food to someone you see on the street today.   Verse: Isaiah 58:8-11 Thus says the LORD:…

  Reflection of the Day: This fasting thing is complicated. If you doubt, check out the first of today’s reading. It’s gotten a bad name in many religious circles and yet it’s made a real surge in some secular ones – go figure. In Catholic circles, in my less than humble opinion, we’ve become whooshes on fasting (I include within fasting what is technically abstinence).   Here’s the “rigorous” demand placed on Catholics for Lenten: Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent no meat. Big deal – only cheese pizza, shrimp, chocolate cake and sushi on 6 of the 40 days. Don’t get me started on those who ask…