Category: QUESTIONS

“SO, WHAT IF I SUPER SIZE ME?” (Mk 9:14-15):  08 February 2008 (Friday after Ash Wednesday)

Today’s Readings

In this day and age where every other person is on some kind of diet, the documentary “Super Size Me” comes as a shocker.  After watching it, I couldn’t lay eyes on a Big Mac for at least six months (Actually, I’ve long stopped eating at McDonald’s for years!).  The film, after all, documents thirty days in the life of filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock, when he ate nothing but McDonald’s food three times a day. The result?  He gained about 25 pounds and  in the process, got liver damage.  I guess that’s what you get for feasting on McDonald’s!  

‘DO YOU ANSWER EVERY PRAYER?’ (Mt 7:7-12): 14 February 2008 (Valentine’s Day, Thursday)

Today’s Readings

In Lars von Trier’s 1996  film “Breaking the Waves,” Bess (played by Oscar-nominated Emily Watson) is a naive, simple-minded woman who has a strange way of praying.  On her knees, she speaks to God, and responds to her own prayers as God in another, lower voice.  For example, she asks God a question timidly, then she changes her voice–and facial expression–to answer the question.  

“HAVE YOU EVER RUN AWAY FROM GOD?” (Lk 11:29-32):  13 February 2008 (Wednesday)

Today’s Readings

The TV series “Joan of Arcadia” is about some kind of modern-day Joan of Arc, Joan Girardi, a high school girl who, like the first Joan, can hear God speak, but more than that, actually bumps into him once in a while and gets to speak with him!  Of course It takes her a while before she actually gets used to the idea, especially because God looks different each time.  Part of the fun in watching “Joan of Arcadia,” in fact, is that you never know when and what form God will choose the next time he appears to Joan and what seemingly trivial task he will ask Joan to do (He calls them “errands.”). The task, of course, always turns out to be an important mission.

“HAVE YOU PRAYED WITHOUT COMMAS?” (Mt 6:7-15):  12 February 2008 (Tuesday)

Today’s Readings

One of the funniest books I’ve read in recent times—one of the very few, in fact, that have actually made me laugh out loud—is a little book called Traveling Merciesby Anne Lamott.  But this funny book is also one of the most deeply spiritual books I’ve read in years.

‘WHEN DID I SEE YOU NAKED?’ (Mt 25:31-46): 11 February 2008 (Monday)

Today’s Readings

I remember it like it happened yesterday.

One rainy afternoon ten years ago, I was walking on campus on the way to class when I saw her.  Even from a distance I already caught sight of her–an old woman standing in the rain and–I could have sworn–watching me.

As I approached her, I nodded a greeting.  When she murmured something under her breath before I could pass her, I stopped and turned, looking at her for the first time.