HOW TO KNOW A PERSON by DAVID BRO

 David is a most sincere person who has recognized his failures in his earlier life that was involved with one problem or another. But, in due time, he saw the light and recognized the joy of being alive and able to relate with others whenever and whoever. It did not matter what color of their skin, the amount of intelligence noted in conversations, whether they were particularly attractive to men or women. The bottom line was the person!

His new book shared his personal insights that enabled him to see the beauty of every person.  Every person is unique. Enjoy any conversation that often leads to the understanding that you may appreciate an aspect of life that you were not familiar with. Every person should be treated with dignity.

While I am reading about his learning the wonder of another person, I am personally thankful of my personal life. 

Even growing up in a disturbed family, I was able to zero in on what could make a difference for me. From the start, it was sports. After a basketball hoop was placed on the telephone pole across the street, I played by myself whenever possible. I remember watching my mother call me to the stairs to drink some milk or soda. Even in the winter when I had to shovel the snow, I played even with cold hands.

I enjoyed companionship of all sorts of males and females without ever intruding on them personally. After a long history of being an altar boy, I finally decided to enter the seminary even though I had been accepted by the Holy Cross College.

During my seminary life, I started to read the writings of Fr. Pierre deTheilard Chardin. It was not part of our formal education. It gave me a better understanding of God. And then, sometime later I became aware of Sr. Ilia Delio of Marquette University. Ultimately, I then came to a full understanding of God that is present in all, humans, animals, Mother Nature. God is not divisive.  God does not discriminate. To think that Judaism, Islamist, Christianity, Muslim religions are unique and the only true understanding of God is not true. 

And so, I am happy that David came to understand that everyone is a friend, someone worthy to know, and possibly learn something new 

OUR NATION UNDER THREAT

 What a predicament our nation has! Our nation is in turmoil trying to keep Congress in session (even though when in session it is unclear that anything is getting done). There is difficulty agreeing on anything. Given that our world is in utter turmoil only exacerbates the situation.

I admit that two principal candidates are old and I so wish that there was a younger candidate. However, even when considering a younger candidate, I am frustrated that there is no obvious candidate. I do hope that Gretchen Whitmore runs in 2028 but she has not said a word about this possibility but she has not said a word because she is focused on Michigan where she is governor.

Given the situation, I have no doubts about the fact that I will vote for President Biden. While he is no longer a good articulator of his initiatives, the ones he shares are most important and helpful. His mind is focused on helping our nation do well and considering how best to contribute to other nations for their benefit.

I am saddened that so many support Trump and can only imagine what would prompt them given his antagonism to our constitution. They agree that they are not happy with Biden’s win but the alternative is a dictatorship and the end of our nation’s constitution.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

THANKS TO Fr. PIERRE deCARDIN AND Sr. ILIA DELI0

 I have been constantly thankful for reading all the works of these authors who enabled me to experience God in all, all the time!  I often close my eyes to meditate on the reality of God’s presence in all! It seems so simple and, in a way, it is. When I travel and see the beautiful trees, flowers, and people talking happily, I experience the Divine.

This reality is also most helpful when our world and our nation is fraught with major conflicts. I live in peace in spite of reading daily international wars, bigotry and hatred, violence and killing. 

It seems so simple and obvious to me, but I know that my understanding did not happen over night. I am thankful for the literature I read and I have to live knowing that those even close to me do not understand.

FASCISM IN AMERICA

 I have been a regular consumer of Raschel Maddow’s ABC news program. I have always been impressed with her clear articulation of complicated subjects  with the ability to identify the exact details pertinent to the subject matter.

Her book at Fascism in America was so helpful, but for me, was also unbelievable that I was as ignorant of fascism in America since I read virtually everything from the Boston Globe, NY Times, Washington Post, BBC, Foreign Affairs, Economist, etc. As an 86 year old, I grew up in Brockton, MA, delivered news papers, spent 8 years in the seminary, five years in a Catholic Doctorate program, 2 years in a Master’s Program in Social Work, and years as the CEO of Mental Health in the New England Veterans Administration, and to think that I was unaware of fascism in America as reported by Rachel is amazing.

I was clear about the Nazis in WWII, the problems associated with the destructive anger and killing of the Jews. I was aware of Pearl Harbor. But I was unaware of fact that Nazism continues even in the United States. It surely is a good example of why there is a need to read.

I am thankful that I live in an area of Massachusetts that is all friendly and helpful to one another. But I am concerned that our present political is prone to being a bed for the likes of fascism and other political groups that are angered by political dialogue seeking what is possible for the many.

DISTURBING BUT HOPEFUL

What a predicament our nation has! Our nation is in turmoil trying to keep Congress in session (even though when in session it is unclear that anything is getting done). There is difficulty agreeing on virtually anything. Given that our world is in utter turmoil only exacerbates the situation.

i admit that the two principal candidates for the 2024 election are old and I so wish that there was a younger candidate. However, even when considering a younger candidate, I am frustrated there is no obvious potential candidate (I do hope that Gretchen Whitmore runs in 2028 but she has not said a word about this possibility because she is focused on Michigan where she is the governor).

Given the situation, I have no doubts about the fact that I will vote for President Biden. While he is no longer a good articulator of his initiatives, the ones that he shares are most helpful. His mind is focused on helping our nation do well and considering how best to contribute to other nations for their benefit.

I am saddened that so many support Trump and can only imagine what would prompt them given his antagonism towards our constitution. They are agree that they are not happy with Biden’s win but the alternative is a dictatorship and end of our nation’s constitution.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!