Following Jesus in rejecting empire
The quest for individual freedom is the quest to live in space. Alone. Untethered to others. I’d like to light my pipe in a restaurant after a fine meal, or in my office where the rumination of a pipe will help me to think a thing through. But I refrain. It is a reminder that…
Father Fitzpatrick and Brother Doyle are setting a few chairs out on the lawn in front of the Friary. The September breeze makes for pleasant weather to conduct an outdoor visit, and an ideal environment for little Fiona to keep herself occupied during the meeting. “I confess,” he says, “I didn’t expect to see all…
Mr. Murphey is in a frantic state, rushing through his office and shoveling his personal effects into a wooden box. His hair is wild, and his eyes are wild, and he is calling madly for his secretary. “Miss Sweeny!” And when she does not get out from behind her desk and run into his office…
St. Mary’s is packed on the morning of the internment of Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove’s ashes. Many are there out of civil obligation – the corporate officials, fellow Care Home owners, merchants with whom Mr. Cosgrove worked over the years. And there are those in attendance who have come to curry favor with the important…
Alex Cosgrove helps his wife into the Oldsmobile, then, lifting a foot to the carriage he says to the driver, “Make haste, Mr. Vadik. We’d like to arrive within the hour if at all possible.” Vadik touches the brim of his hat in acknowledgement and jolts the carriage into action the moment Mr. Cosgrove shuts…