spiritual insights on religion, social justice and comparative theology
Little is known about the three “Magi” who pay the “Holy Family” a visit in scripture. They are an integral part of the story in Matthew’s account and tell the story of encountering Herod on their journey following a star from the East to find the baby. In Bethlehem there are graves that date back … Continue reading “Wisdom of Magi” by William Klein
Classroom doors decorated with tinsel and Christmas chintz, secret Santas bring gifts of socks and simple delights like booze and cookies to tickle the heart to new heights while Christmas lights adorn classrooms and blowup Frostys gleefully wave in the season. Teachers agree it’s that time in the semester where we can see the top … Continue reading “You Turns and Climbing the Christmas Hill” by William Klein
Injustice stands in the way of justice in nasty ways. I was to take students to their service site to serve a few weeks ago, and the trip was canceled due to a lockdown. There was a police chase outside our high school doors that ended with the alleged criminal, who was driving in a … Continue reading “Roots Of Injustice” by William Klein
Gratitude has a power all its own. It reinforces the gifts present in life and inspires the endorphins of fulfillment to unleash its power on self. It transforms the down and out “ne’er do well” into an empowered, motivated activist working for the betterment of the common good – or not. It may simply render … Continue reading Gratitude by William Klein
Alan Watts, the great philosopher and writer said, “ A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thought. So he loses touch with reality and lives in a world of illusions. By thoughts I mean specifically chatter in the skull. It is a perpetual and compulsive repetition of words… of … Continue reading Head to Heart by William Klein
We are surrounded by the presence of holiness. As the world spins, the creative forces of beginnings swim in the realm of inspiration and possibility. Inspired art is all around us. It is in every rock, flower, plant, mountain and the biology of stoic observations in science. The great ones see holiness in the animate … Continue reading Hymns To Nature by William Klein
I was talking to a friend about the law. He reminded me that he used to go to Cleveland Stadium for games on the shores of Lake Erie. He would cross a bridge over the railroad tracks, and he had a full view of the county courthouse. Chiseled in stone are the words “Obedience to … Continue reading The Letter Of The Law by William Klein
My foray into service learning has reaped tremendous rewards. I’ve been exposed to the power of intention behind words. St. Francis said, “Teach the gospels and if necessary use words”. Francis knew the power of action to speak louder than words. My sense is that the intention behind the action makes all the difference. I’ve … Continue reading The Gift Of A Kind Intention by William Klein
I was attending a volleyball game at my school to support my students. The volleyball coach runs up to me and says, “We may need you to be a line judge”. She quickly taught me the hand signals for “out” and “in”. Two arms down, pointing stiffly at the ground – in. Two hands, palms … Continue reading Claiming The Moment by William Klein
Thorton Wilder, the author of “Our Town” writes: “I want you to try and remember what it was like to have been very young. And particularly the days when you were first in love; when you were like a person sleepwalking, and you didn’t quite see the street you were in, and didn’t quite hear … Continue reading Reflection: A Walk In The Old Neighborhood by William Klein
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