Category Archives: Religion

“How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Father James Martin charmingly explains: Who hasn’t wanted to ask in the face of a life-altering change, “How can this be?” Holy confusion is a natural part of the life of any believer—indeed, any person. Ironically, earlier in Luke’s Gospel, … Continue reading →

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Soon to be St. Katherine: Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks.

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk who converted to Christianity, will soon become a Saint. Below is the beautiful sculpture that a famous artist, Jud Hartmann, rendered of her many years ago:

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Christmas music.

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

I remember how delighted I was to discover Czech and Polish Christmas Carols.  Enjoy.

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Of death and dying.

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Christopher Hitchens has a philosophically heart-wrenching article updating us on his painful cancer. I am humbled by the raw and naked view that his mordant humor and realism allow us to witness of his physical frailty and suffering. A while … Continue reading →

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“The more I study New Testament,” Dr. Levine said, “the better Jew I become.”

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

“Jewish scholars have typically been involved only with editions of the Old Testament, which Jews call the Hebrew Bible or, using a Hebrew acronym, the Tanakh. Of course, many curious Jews and Christians consult all sorts of editions, without regard … Continue reading →

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“…mathematical models beyond our human comprehension…” – visualizing conception through birth.

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Alexander Tsiaras: Conception to birth — visualized (I’m awed by science!): (Via The Anchoress).

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Snails in Cyprus.

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

When I visited Cyprus I was not only overwhelmed with the recent political history, but more importantly, with the religious and mythical story of the island, which left me flabbergasted.  Crossing the great divide (the green line) exposed me to … Continue reading →

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Meditation improves the immune system and reduces stress.

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

When I read this in The Telegraph this morning: Meditation improves the immune system, reduces blood pressure and even sharpens the mind, according to research. The practice – an essential part of Buddhist and Indian Yoga traditions – has entered … Continue reading →

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Art restoration and mathematics: “Circular Harmonic Decomposition”.

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

From Der Spiegel: In 1944, a bombing raid almost completely destroyed an enormous Padua church fresco that dated back to the Renaissance and had once been admired by Goethe. Some 88,000 tiny pieces of plaster were rescued from the rubble, and … Continue reading →

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Would I have given up my life for my children?

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

I was lucky not to have faced this horror… Would I have?  I think so, I hope so, but the specter of the “what if” lingers….  Would you?

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A Polish film.

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Bruegel’s paintings are time capsules, windows into what was then.  Polish film director Lech Majewski’s The Mill and the Cross brings Bruegel’s  Way to Calvary to life.  I am looking forward to seeing what appears to be a jewel of … Continue reading →

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The Israeli national museum and Google have put the Dead Sea Scrolls online.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

Google announces that the Dead Sea Scrolls are online for the first time! Written between the third and first centuries BCE, the Dead Sea Scrolls include the oldest known biblical manuscripts in existence. In 68 BCE, they were hidden in … Continue reading →

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“The continuous process of remaining open and accepting of what may reveal itself through hand and heart on a crafted page is the closest I have ever come to God.”

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

So said The Calligrapher, when referring to his 15-year project writing and illustrating the Bible. Thanks to The Deacon’s Bench.

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The dancing boys of Afghanistan.

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

From the State Department’s “Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons”: Some families knowingly sell their children for forced prostitution, including for bacha baazi – where wealthy men use groups of young boys for social and sexual entertainment. The … Continue reading →

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Vegetable garden vs. city gal.

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Barbara Dillon Hillas

I wrote this last year … and am now going through the same experience! Well, I’m all for eating the “fruits of one’s labor”.   In fact, it is truly a labor of love:   one plants those little seeds, tenderly cares … Continue reading →

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