“I realize that we have to choose to live in peace every day of our lives…Every moment offers us God’s invitation to live in God’s own peace…The challenge is to start the journey, to stay faithful, and to delve into a life of peace. Though there will be many days when the journey will seem futile, daunting, even hopeless, over time we come to realize that the journey itself is the life of peace! All we have to do is choose to take up that journey and stay faithful.”

- John Dear, Living Peace: A Spirituality of Contemplation and Action

How futile is  the journey when various non-profits, social justice groups, organizations, etc. seem to be doing whatever is deemed necessary to fit society’s system of regulations and norms (i.e. the TMC moving to rental property next door to better afford upkeep, Just Harvest advocating for a budget line within the city or state’s budget, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank’s being accepted as a necessary and permanent fixture of society)? How are such moral and ethical compromises not interpreted as violence? [At times like this, I find myself thinking that the concept of a truly nonviolent lifestyle - and certainly world - is indeed futile, and that Merton and his kin were indeed wise to opt for the contemplative lifestyle.]

Christmas Eve, 2009. Having spent the bulk of my day with Eisabelle (6) and Maria (5) in some form or fashion (making hot chocolate for them, sponge-painting the December edition of The NewPeople to make homemade wrapping paper, playing long and hard in the backyard drifts amongst sleds and snow-angels, etc.), I’m struck by how very much I’m anticipating tomorrow, not for any gift that I might receive, but quite the opposite – because I’m so eager myself to see friends and family open the gifts I’ve chosen for them. Such a shift from childhood to adulthood – really, it’s rather mindblowing.

Went to the Regent tonight with Miles and Julie for their annual free screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. How could anyone not love this film, with its stubborn hero, plucky heroine, and supporting cast of colorful (if somewhat tame) characters? Another good night with good friends and light-hearted conversation.

The glasses get me every time.