Living The Faith On A High Wire: July 2011

Chargers' Philip Rivers is Living by Example...

Remember before Charles Barkley’s infamous, “I’m not a role model” statement in a Nike Air commercial, when many athletes cared about setting a good example for kids and protecting their images?

It appears that unlike generations past, when most professional sports heroes embraced their responsibilities to the youth of America, and were willing to sacrifice for the greater good, grounded on God, family and country (Ted Williams, Bob Feller and Roberto Clemente come to mind), today, too many of them are caught up in the selfishness, narcissism and voyeurism of the culture, and give more value to “bling,” living it up with celebrities, and flaunting a lifestyle that most of their fans will never experience, than using restraint, humility and protecting their image.

Jul

Fear, Suffering and My Daughter's Blister...

“Trust me!” I said, while raising my voice, as I held a pair of sharp-pointed cuticle scissors in my right hand and struggled desperately to hold my ten-year-old daughter’s foot steady with my left hand (in retrospect, maybe not the portrait of calm and pacification I was aiming for).

She wasn’t having anything to do with my demands, frantically pleading in agony. In fact, it was the type of agony that appeared to come from the depths of her soul.

“No daddy. Not right now.

Jul

Battling Cancer, Chavez Turns to God...

It is often said that when we have no where else to turn, we turn to God.

This may be the case for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who last year waged a very public war of words against the Roman Catholic Church for opposing his regime, and now, as he battles cancer, is apparently turning to God and the Church, for solace.

Jul

After Marriage, Sleep is a Lost Commodity...

Most parents would tell you that sleep is never the same after having kids but, let’s face it, sleep is never the same after taking our wedding vows, period.

It’s funny how couples are portrayed sleeping together in the movies and on TV. They are usually shown with their arms wrapped lovingly around each other, lying peacefully, and, apparently, comfortably.

I don’t know about other couples but in my wife’s and my case, nothing could be further from the truth.

Jul

Trying to Find Justice in Caylee's Murder…

There’s no doubt that Casey Anthony’s behavior in the aftermath of her daughter, Caylee’s, disappearance leaves a lot to be desired.

Most parents would tell you that if their child was missing, their reaction would be complete hysteria and desperation. Being a father of three small children myself, including one who is still a toddler, I couldn’t imagine the sorrow and anguish that would overcome me if one of them was missing.

Jul

Midnight in Paris is About Living for Today...

As many of you know by now, I love Fr. Robert Barron's commentaries. He finds the most significant religious underpinnings in the least likely places of the culture.

In his latest commentary, Fr. Barron reviews Woody Allen’s new film, Midnight in Paris.

Now, you might say, as I did, what a great title. Midnight seems to be a natural fit for a movie title i.e., Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Midnight Express, Midnight Cowboy, and Midnight Run (that I can recall offhand).