Manresa 2014: Rembrandt, Pascal, & World Peace

Pere Marquette's chalice
 in Manresa Chapel

 Mon 1-6-14: What else is there to do when it’s 30 below zero outside? So I am writing about my annual Manresa retreat which is always such a rewarding way to kick off the new year, and I am just hoping to get through this historic Arctic blast (they just said on the news that is now colder here than in some parts of Antarctica) which is due to last until Wednesday and am hoping to get through it without a power outage.
     I’m always somewhat hesitant to write on spiritual topics since, for each of us, our relationship to our Maker is a deeply personal, unique and intimate thing, something best confined to home and church. Or to the mountains and forests if that be your particular inclination. I know I personally feel particularly uncomfortable when people (and particularly political people) use a public forum to speak on religious matters and most particularly when asked to pray in a public forum, prayers that may not necessarily suit my individual sensibilities.