Laws of Nature

When I was working on a homily this afternoon, some big birds outside my window caught my attention. I gently parted the blinds so I wouldn’t scare them away. The reflection of the blinds created the horizontal stripes in the lower right corner. I didn’t notice taking this shot that two of the birds were eating something.

It turned out these were turkey buzzards and they were eating a baby raccoon. (See the ringed tail.) These two were young buzzards and they could eat together when the dominant male finished eating all he wanted. But when he came back for more, they had to scatter.

After an hour, all that was left of the raccoon was leg bones, some fur, and its rib cage.

Prayer for the Elections

Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.

We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.

We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Here and There, Then and Now

After 42 years in Asia, I returned home to Kentucky. But it isn’t the home I left. Things I saw THEN are different NOW. Life HERE is different from life THERE. Here is another sample of the differences.

here and then

My first bank account was at Greater Louisville First Federal Savings and Loan Association. And in those days banker’s hours were 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

there and now

My bank account in Phnom Penh was with ABA Bank. Many banking practices in Cambodia call to mind banks of the 1950s in the US, but as for banking hours, ABA was the best!

Monday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Here and There, Then and Now

After 42 years in Asia, I returned home to Kentucky. But it isn’t the home I left. Things I saw THEN are different NOW. Life HERE is different from life THERE—except for Big Rock!

THEN

Big Rock is a well-known landmark in Louisville. Located on Beargrass Creek which meanders through much of Jefferson County, it has been a place of fun for generations. It was certainly an attraction for my family 75 years ago and it was probably around for several million years before that.

NOW

NOW is the same as THEN! Kids still clamber up the rock, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and then jump off into the water about a yard deep. It’s a fun place to play on a hot day and parents can picnic on the grassy shores–unless they’re in the water, too!