The Other Brother

 AMDG Sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood I, a disciple of Christ, a man in love with my Lord and Creator, caught up in passion for creation and service, and uncertain about sharing the journey with others. To you, my friends, my fellow adventurers, who have met me on the way. I’ve lost a few people over the last six months. A young friend mysteriously and worryingly ghosted our whole friend group. He had been busy with work and school but his silence was unprecedented and continues to be a source of concern for us. One of my best friends pulled away and then also ghosted me. He’s older, so in some ways I am less worried for him, but the sense of loss and confusion were much greater. An older relative of mine passed away after a long illness. I had seen her only sparingly over the last several years, and she had a steady and reassuring faith, so I have been able to approach her death with peace and hope. One of my favorite musicals is Into the Woods. I expe...

AMDG I, a soul rejoicing, to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ: Hallelujah! Happy Easter!! Oh glorious day. How blessed we are! Although life has been rocky, my Lent has been okay. This year, as with last year, I’ve avoided challenging penances, which I’ve discovered are more distracting and stressful than helpful. The result is a Lent which is no more or less prayerful, but an Easter which finds me less exhausted and less consumed by the return to normal practice. Rather, I find that the readings at daily mass guide my spirit to the mood I associate with Lent, and by the end of 40 days I am in a somber place, ready for that vivid crescendo into the resurrection. This week I was blessed to be required to attend my own parish’s Holy Thursday observance. Instead of the rather fun and prayerful pilgrimage I wanted to make in the city, I attended a 7 PM mass followed by adoration. Along with two sisters, I chose to keep watch with the tabernacle, set up in our community room, with...

 AMDG I, a man among men and women of many colors and stripes, sometimes the wolf in sheepskin and sometimes the sheep in wolfskin, all of us godly creatures of flesh and blood, to you, my fellow authentic human being, made with God’s signature, called to Greatness. I wish you joy, peace, and… discomfort. A few years ago I moved far enough across the country to completely disrupt my social life. I made the majority of my new, real friends through my parish, and it was good. These are good friends, although changing circumstances have put a little more distance between us. My friends are also, from what I can tell, largely moderates or conservatives in their religious and social beliefs. Thus, it’s not uncommon for them to bring up gender ideology, homosexuals, which inclusive Catholic celebrity is causing a schism in the church, blah blah blah. As someone who chooses his battles, in these situations I most often either stay silent and let it blow over or I insert a respectfully...