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In the Old Testament’s 8th Psalm we read a meditation on the awesomeness of God and how insignificant we seem in comparison. And yet, we human beings are still the pinnacle of God’s creation.

In verse 6 we read,

“Yet you have made him little less than a god, crowned him with glory and honor.” Some translations use the term “angel” instead of “a god,” but we get the sense of it. Men and women are just a bit less special than creatures in Heaven. And that’s definitely at the ‘top of the heap’ on earth!

I was reminded of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, as I’m sure many are and have been, in reading the words excerpted above from Psalm 8. Hence the title of this entry. In this passage Shakespeare has Hamlet observe, “What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and…

I heard an interesting homily on Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday a fews years ago. In our liturgical cycle, the same readings came up again today. Our presider, Father Raphael, relayed to the congregation the story of a policeman who was asked by an out of town visitor where he might find a church for Sunday services. He did not specify any particular religious preference and so the policeman recommended a Catholic Church that was on his ‘beat’. When the visitor asked him why he referred him to that church, the policeman replied, “Those people coming out of that church are always so happy. They say they receive Jesus Christ into their hearts and they take Him with them when they leave, to their homes, and everywhere else they go…”

Of course, that’s how it should be for all of us. The joy we feel after we receive the Eucharist should carry…

I follow Father Burke Master’s blog and receive his posts each day in my inbox, as many of you do who follow me. I felt led to share this morning’s post (below) and I hope  you’ll find it as encouraging as I do.

My favorite line:  There might be times that we must kneel at the foot of the cross with Mary, not understanding completely what God is doing. Ask for the faith of Mary at those times.

I was surprised by that image because it is not the norm when I think of or talk about kneeling at Jesus’ feet. The usual scene for me is with the ‘other’ Mary, Martha’s sister, kneeling at the feet of Jesus to hear His word and indeed to be with the Word. But here, Father Burke has us kneeling in anguish and pain, with the world turned upside down, in complete incomprehension…