What's next?

To my faithful audience of (possibly) two people, I would like to assure you that writing is my passion and truly, not being able to sit down with all calm and deliberation to share with you my thoughts on this blog is the constant worm that gnaws at my brain.

Too many things to do, too many distractions, too many duties and responsibilities... I keep on dreaming of the day when all things shall be possible, without feeling the gravitational pull of 'stuff' that screams out for attention, and results in predictable guilt when neglected. Even worse are the piles of papers on my desk that cry out for resolution, the mounds of bills that need payment to avoid the annoying reminders of bill collectors, as well as the substantial finance charges that accrue... aaargh!

However, there comes a point when, as the French say: 'ras le bol!' the cup overflows and I must give in to the impulse or... explode. I suspect I may be reaching that watermark. There are so many issues, cultural, personal, national, global, etc., going on in the world that 'require my opinion,' and I would be remiss were I to continue holding back.

The problem is in which direction to go, and where to start?

For a brief list of possible themes to consider:

1) I certainly think that reflections on my own mortality should be forthcoming.

2) The legacy and advice to my children, who may only read and consider it when I'm gone but, nonetheless, looking down from heaven I hope, I will consider this time well spent.

3) Various thoughts on apologetics.

4) Consideration or comments of the writings of various authors, saints, historians, OpEd page articles, that have impacted me greatly, and bloggers' musings, many infinitely wise, valid and to the point.

5) Am I over politics? Hey, I'm a Religious and Political animal. Many would tag me as abrasive, controversial and argumentative. NONSENSE! Just as many people need physical exercise for their well being, I need exercise of the mind to keep sane. Whether with myself, or with others, I need my daily ration of mental calisthenics.

The trouble here is that there are so few people willing to engage me. This is, to my mind, the result of a surprising intellectual laziness, of cowardice and, frankly, lack of cojones on the part of the general list of my acquaintances. Either they feel personally threatened, uncomfortable with the subject matter at hand, and/or unwilling to be driven to an edge in which they might be confronted with reason. Some, mainly the young, will tend to dismiss me as a perennial ranter, as though I have been living in a world that never really existed and is just now opening into great possibilities never thought of before. Fat chance!

My mother used to say that the devil knows more because he's old... than because he's devil. The hackneyed little phrase 'Been there...done that,' fits perfectly in this case. There's little I have not seen and, having put my trust in political rhetoric, not hoped for, only to be totally disappointed by a good 98% of those who promised pie in the sky. To say that the current political and moral climate give me little comfort is an understatement.

There are other points I will attempt to dwell on, but I will think of them as I go along, for now as usual, duty calls and I must end this.

However, I do not want to leave without paying tribute to a man of gigantic intellect who has just passed away: Richard John Neuhaus, theologian, author of several books, and founder and editor of 'First Things' magazine. Like Augustin, Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, CS Lewis, GK Chesterton, etc. this man was one of those bright lights that graces humanity for a brief instant and leaves enough of his thought to influence it yet, unfortunately, his words will fall in the deaf ears of those who need them the most.

I like to think I could have met this man, because despite the fact that he hobnobbed with intellectual, political and religious celebrities, he was a first and foremost a parish priest whose soaring sermons never talked down to his mostly humble audience, somewhere in a New York parish. He was a confessor, youth advisor, community organizer, though in a GOOD WAY and for good causes (friend to Martin Luther King, no less!), not the type whose aim is to radicalize the country to turn into a socialist heaven.

Requiescat in pacem, Father Neuhaus. Please keep you appointment book open in heaven, and squeeze me in for a moment when I get there. I'd love to have a chat with you! BTW, I drooled when in your careful, measured, tone you laid out and dissected complicated issues as with a scalpel, like a gifted surgeon. And, what can I say... I loved your wicked wit! Michael Novak in his eulogy paid you a grand compliment, tongue in cheek he said you could be on occasion a master of 'humble ostentation.'