A mandatory unpaid workday in France after Pentecost leads to a deeper question about charity, civic duty, and whether generosity still has meaning when it is no longer voluntary. From the deadly 2003 French heatwave to modern debates about social obligation, religion, and collective responsibility, this essay explores the tension between compassion and coercion.
The Ascension did not end with clarity, but with instructions to wait. In that space between what was and what comes next, we are invited to resist the urge to rush ahead and instead learn to recognize Christ’s presence in the stillness by living in each moment.
At the moment of Jesus’ death, the temple veil tore from top to bottom, signifying the end of separation between humanity and God. This reflection explores what the torn veil means for grace, access, and how we still rebuild barriers God has already destroyed.
Last weekend, I wandered down to the shore and gingerly stepped into the water, an act I instantly regretted. The cold hit my foot, and I yanked it out before … Continue reading Why Fish on Friday?
Saint Valentine, a third-century Christian priest, defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriage by performing secret unions for young couples. His actions led to his arrest and subsequent execution on February 14, 269 AD. Over time, his feast day transformed from a commemoration of martyrdom to a celebration of love and romance.
Amy L. Griffin 