Today is the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, also known as Hobbit Day. It's a day to be celebrated with seven meals (first breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper - although I should note this tradition comes from the movies, not the books), dancing and singing, smoking a pipe … Continue reading Happy Hobbit Day! What We Can Learn From Our Halfling Friends
I have always wanted to do great things. Yet, since childhood, my two favorite saints have ones who preached doing small things: St. Therese of Lisieux and Mother Teresa (who wasn't a saint when I was a child but was a hero of mine). Therese is known for her "Little Way," a practice that imbues … Continue reading Small Things, Great Love
Last Sunday at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, the deacon began his homily by describing Frodo's journey to Mount Doom in "The Lord of the Rings." I've written before about my love of "The Lord of the Rings," so you can imagine my rapt attention as he started to speak. The deacon compared … Continue reading On Not Giving Up the Quest
