I borrow, you borrow, we borrow
She borrows, he borrows, they borrow
The world borrows and borrows to joint sorrow
Hoping there will always be tomorrow.
What, then, do we borrow to our self-destruction
But justice delayed for the satisfaction
Of a life of pursuing our corrupt passion
And ignoring those who need our compassion?
“I’m sure that the little girl in that back seat was signing us,” Karl said.
Having guests over at seven o’clock today
and the table is set with the sides and entrée;
Can’t leave anything out and there’s no way
we’ll forget what to leave out well past the sorbet.
No one can argue against the great advances of science and technology in virtually every sphere of modern life. We know more today than we have ever known. But we are more superstitious today than ever. Why?
Superstitions have lasted for millennia across every class, culture, and clan known to man. Did you know that the first cave paintings were probably part of a ceremony for good fortune in hunting?
I know brilliant scientists, researchers, doctors and surgeons working with the latest advances in scientific knowledge in their fields who are more likely to consult an astrologer than not for life-changing decisions or are devoted to the pursuit of what some may term the greatest superstition of all: religion. Why?
Say, it’s tricky, quite tricky, isn’t it,
To talk to a squirrel or a rock or a tree
Or a painting by your favorite artist
And believe that somehow it can see
The heart of you that can bleed
And give you all that you desperately need?
Or maybe you talk to the farmer as he hoes
Or the doctor you pay two hundred by the hour
Or your friend who is trying on her clothes
Or the starry-eyed fan who brings you a flower
And say there’s a part of you that’s dying inside
A soul-crushing pain from which you can’t hide.
Italian movie director Franco Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is a classic and possibly the best film representation of the life of Christ. Where many directors of Biblically-based films are ham-handed with dialogue, characterization, and symbolism, Zeffirelli is subtle and nuanced.
I wonder if you speculate as I do if we would recognize Jesus when he appears at the end of time. A somewhat quizzical statement I admit. Obviously, the query would be just addressed to Christians who, as it happens, will be celebrating the birth of their elder brother, Jesus the Christ, this holiday season and are eagerly awaiting his return one day soon.
“If Narnia’s so religious, how come you can’t find any churches there?” a writer asks.
Why indeed?
It’s a reasonable question. Given the Christian framework of Narnia, shouldn’t there be a church, or at the very least a praying figure or a hymn singer or two? And no doubt you’re sitting expectantly at the edge of your ergonomic chair for my response. Right?
This Jolly Beggar 