“The purpose of a funeral is not to uplift the audience,” [Thomas Long] says, “but to transform the cast.” .…
Death creates chaos on every level . . . Out of this vandalized shalom emerges ritual–the orderly, tradition-based, formal performances…
This image links the notion of ‘shalom’ (written here in Hebrew) to what is described in the chapter as “vandalized…
The suggestion that the dead would eventually come alive again in restored bodies was not some peripheral, secondary belief. According…
“Almost everyone becomes religious when they are dying.” Perhaps this is an overstatement–at least in a New England university town.…
The figure is an erect, humanized form of the hybrid creature from the Isenheim Altarpiece . . . if compared…
And there he was. That anguished man on the cross, larger than life, bearing all the marks of ergotism. His…
The Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald: The Antonites ‘prescribed’ viewing the altarpiece to those in their care who were suffering…
Dr. Dugdale’s comments on this image are interesting. She calls it disturbing and indicates that previous drafts were even more…
In physiology . . we say that fear triggers a “flight or fight” response. When we feel threatened, we either…
In my comments this week, I am going to skip over the initial pages of this chapter in which Dr.…
In different ways, this image seems both realistic and unrealistic. The man, the wheelchair, and the sign are depicted is…
Not only did hospitals entice with medicine and procedure; they also offered a welcome respite to families and community members…
Does it matter where we die? Page 71 As Dr. Dugdale suggests, there are several ways this question could be…
Dr. Dugdale tells us that this image depicts Mrs. Ito and evokes the Japanese danchi where she lived and where…
Our communities of support do not have to be perfect, but they should feel hospitable. We should feel safe among…
Was Mr. Bell lonely? . . . It is entirely possible, however, that Kleinfield’s title [“The Lonely Death of George…
Here is Michael W. Dugger’s ink rendering for chapter 2: Here is the vanitas painting of Philippe de Champaigne that…
[According to the original Ars Moriendi,] we have to acknowledge the possibility of death while we are still healthy [and]…
She declined to discuss it. In her mind, the question she faced was whether she should choose to live a…
One of the earliest versions of the Ars moriendi was illustrated. The art of human finitude provokes anticipation and preparation…
In this post, I will quote passages in Dr. Dugdale’s text that I find especially discussion worthy, pose questions about…
In this post, I will quote passages in Dr. Dugdale’s text that I find especially discussion worthy, pose questions about…
Today is the eighteenth Holy Saturday of my life as a Dominican friar. This morning, for the eighteenth time, I…
In our Reflections during this Holy Week, we have tried to understand, enter into, receive from, and share the Paschal…
The Eucharistic institution narrative from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians and the washing of feet narrative from Saint…
“In your house,” Jesus says, “I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples” (Matthew 26:18). In these words from today’s…
The Tuesday of Holy Week has traditionally been referred to as “Spy Tuesday.” That designation comes from today’s Gospel reading…
Today we are reminded of the deep connections between the Paschal Mystery of our Lord that we celebrate especially during…
Holy Week begins with a two-fold feast. It has two names: Palm Sunday of the Lord‘s Passion. And it’s Eucharistic…
(This is a research paper. It is longer and more detailed than the “Reflections” on this page. Please enjoy.) Introduction…
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”…
Every human life is uniquely precious, of inestimable dignity, and worthy of being valued and protected. That truth, and the…
Since writing my last Reflection, “Let Us Go to Bethlehem to See,” I have gone to Bethlehem and seen. I also…
We are all familiar with the manger scene. Mary and Joseph kneel by the baby Jesus in the manger with…
The season of Advent, and Gaudete Sunday in particular, invites us to rejoice. In Year C, our readings on Gaudete…
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. This is a prayer…
The Catholic Church opposes euthanasia, understood as the deliberate killing of a person in order to end his or her…
The fourth chapter of Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians is awash with paradox. He says in verse 18…
You probably know the story of Joseph and his brothers that is told in chapters 37-50 of the Book of…
Saint Paul is Pro Life. He clearly affirms the goodness of all God’s creation and the goodness of enjoying the…
“You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the…
“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it…
Yes! God always answers our prayers. Jesus assures us of this over and over again. “Ask and it will be…
There are many good, true, and important answers that one could give in response to questions about the mystery of…
The Old Testament Book of Job is about a good man whom God allows to suffer. The first verse introduces…
Why is this happening to me? Why did this happen to my child? What have I done to deserve this?…
According to J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, there are two kinds of hope.…
Saint Dominic is the Holy Founder of the Order of Preachers (the “Dominican” Order) that serves the parish community of…
In one of their “Sunday Review” sections, The New York Times published an article titled “Why Doctors Need Stories.” It was written…