Category Archives: Geoff Wood Blog

Them One September when my wife and I entered the twelfth century cathedral of Ravello (a terraced town overlooking the Mediterranean south of Naples) we were struck by the beauty of its tall white walls and timbered ceiling and especially … Continue reading →

All Saints Day             It was early in my freshman year (a long time ago) at a Christian Brothers’ high school back east that Brother Francis – in our religion class – gave us a research assignment.  We had to … Continue reading →

Concord and Jericho – as ever present events             This is the time of the year to visit New England, what with its rich autumn foliage.  The inns and hotels are all booked up by people who long to walk … Continue reading →

I wish I were a celluloid hero like Errol Flynn!  (a boyhood fantasy)             How thickheaded could the apostles of Jesus have been?  Three times – while en route to Jerusalem – he tells them that when he arrives there … Continue reading →

“Nothing in excess” Socrates             “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus replies: “Keep the commandments, you know: don’t commit murder, don’t commit adultery don’t steal . . . the rules given you by Moses.”  The man shakes … Continue reading →

Meditations from a Life Raft A long time ago I picked up Thomas Helm’s Ordeal at Sea about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in World War II.  It was July 1945.  The war in the Pacific would be over … Continue reading →

Hyperbole             In today’s Gospel Jesus is portrayed as speaking in hyperboles – engaging in exaggerated, extravagant ways of speech.  If anyone causes one of those who believe in me to stumble, toss him into the sea with a millstone … Continue reading →

At present we see dimly as in a mirror . . . (1st Corinthians 13:12)             Judging by the attitude of Jesus toward children as cited in today’s Gospel, it seems he would have been delighted with the poet William … Continue reading →

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom . . .             Obviously, given the heat of this first week of September, summer is still with us.  But only a few days ago as I stepped out of my car to … Continue reading →

People brought to him a man who . . . could hardly talk.             It’s the late 1950’s in Russia.  Stalin is dead but his legacy of fear lingers.  In a synagogue a rabbi is preparing for the annual Yom … Continue reading →