Ash Wednesday sparked a meditation on phoenixes, potash soap, and spiritual transformation. What connects a mythical bird, early American resourcefulness, and the ashes adorning faithful foreheads? All point to the same truth: something must first turn to ash before we can rise anew.
Tag: personal transformation
Sea Stacks and the Sacrament
I love the Oregon coast. Some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen is tucked away among its 116 beaches. In particular, the many sea stacks catch my eye. The formation of Sea Stacks Sea stacks are “isolated outcrops of rock standing in the ocean”. These outcrops form because sections of land along…
The Rosary in the Sauna
Sometimes the most powerful lessons in faith come from unexpected places. A stranger’s quiet devotion in a crowded sauna challenged me to examine my own heart: How deeply do I yearn for God? Transformation rarely happens all at once. It comes through daily seeking, repentance, communion, and a desire to draw nearer.
Michelangelo’s Greatest Work
When Stone Becomes Story 516 years ago this month, Michelangelo unveiled his commissioned work, David — one of the most recognized sculptures in the world and often celebrated as his greatest masterpiece. Even more impressive, Michelangelo was only in his twenties when he completed it. Many other iconic works would follow, including the Sistine Chapel…