RobertFrancis @RobertFrancis@social.theliturgists.com

I could spend all day looking at photos of this church, which was designed by the visionary Antoni Gaudi and still under construction after 134 years. I hope to visit one day.

Visiting St Louis l went to the Cathedral Basilica today. It is in the Byzantine style (unusual in the West), rivaling the artistic magnificence of Westminster Cathedral in London (also Byzantine). No paintings...every surface overhead is covered with mosaics.

One shocking malapropism though is the message around the base of this dome. At some angles you miss out the first word “IF”, and all that remains visible is “CHRIST HAS NOT RISEN, YOUR FAITH IS IN VAIN”!

Applying this paradox of freedom to life, I think this is what Sting is getting at when he says he is not leaving his inheritance to his kids. Daddy's money cannot confer the freedom that comes from attaining personal realization--in fact, it is more likely to hinder it.

I think also of the old saying:
"Freedom without boundaries is like a river without banks."

...and of Moon Unit Zappa--remember her?

I think poetry must
I think it must
Stay open all night
In beautiful cellars

When I was a kid I drew like Michaelangelo.

It took me years to learn to draw like a kid.

you really exist!

There is another kind of justice than the justice of number which can neither forgive nor be forgiven

There is another kind of mercy than the mercy of Law which knows no absolution

There is a justice of newborn worlds which cannot be counted

There is a mercy of individual things that spring into being without reason

They are just w/out reason and their mercy is without explanation

They have received rewards beyond description because they themselves refuse to be described

"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey."

This is consistent w/ my previous polling results. As I understand it, the majority objects to discriminating against the human being in the womb based on identity, even though they deny him/her personhood at all.

*In other words, they object to discrimination against someone they themselves regard as a non-person.*

Am I making an unfair characterization here? I feel I am missing something in the logic but despite my probing it remains opaque to me.

Thanks to those who participated in this poll.

I am confused by some people’s view that the girl or boy in the womb does not have a right to live, yet apparently has a right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex. What am I missing here? And does the same logic apply when it comes to disability?

“Good Shepherd, You have a wild and crazy sheep in love with thorns and brambles. But please don’t get tired of looking for me! I know You won’t. For You have found me. All I have to do is stay found.”

Deleted this poll because of confused wording...thanks @hope for pointing it out.

As a rule, most people would not be okay with an adult public figure suggesting physical violence against a 16-year old kid on a large media platform (Reza Aslan has over 275,000 Twitter followers). However, this tweet is still up after four months, despite many complaints.

“Sunrise is an event that calls forth solemn music in the very depths of man’s nature, as if one’s whole being had to attune itself to the cosmos and praise God for the new day, praise him in the name of all the creatures that ever were or will ever be.”

Happy Mother’s Day!