Ace and a King

Christ with the Eucharist
(Vicente Juan Masip, 16th Century)

In poker, the ace-and-king hand is considered to be a real strong beginning.  The ace is particularly versatile, in that it exhibits strength through humility.  Although it can trump the king, it can also morph low in order to help create a winning wheel.

Such seemed the case when Pope Leo XIV recently welcomed King Charles III to worship with him at the Vatican.  This was the first time in more than half a millennium that a Protestant Church of England king has publicly prayed together with a Roman Catholic pope.  

Although this has been called an “interfaith” meeting, it is more of a healing between disputed branches of the Christian faith.  Why break brotherhood when you can instead break bread?

Resources

https://www.aol.com/articles/king-charles-iii-pope-leo-153355663.html

Earth too shall pass

The Highest Heaven
(Illustrated by Gustave Dore)

Scientists are predicting that Earth will no longer be habitable in about a billion years.  Those who are counting upon AI for physical immortality will then have to flee to God knows where.

And that is the point. Although some conceive immortality to be Groundhog Day for eternity, others prefer a heavenly future. Not the kind of heaven that can be accessed with a spacecraft, but the kind of Heaven that does not require a flesh-and-blood appendage.

Although a billion years might seem ample for figuring out space-based logistics, consciousness would need to keep pace with intellect.  Otherwise, as Carl Sagan warned, it might be best for humans to remain quarantined on Earth until ready for another realm of Being.

Resources

https://www.dagens.com/world/nasa-supercomputer-predicts-when-life-on-earth-will-end-it-is-sooner-than-expected

Goodall's Goodbye

 

Goodall in 2015
(Public Domain)

The word “good,” found within both “Goodall” and “goodbye,” was originally associated with the word “God.”  It’s no wonder then that Jane Goodall’s goodbye to the world was filled with blessings and wisdom.

Goodall’s fond farewell was recorded several months before her actual death, under the strict condition that it only be released after her passing. Here are some excerpts that bear repeating, especially when times are tough and faith is weakened:

I want to make sure that you all understand that each and every one of you has a role to play… your life matters, and you are here for a reason… every single day you live, you make a difference in the world.  And you get to choose the difference that you make.

Don’t lose hope.  If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing…  And if you want to save what is still beautiful in the world… then think about the actions you take each day.  Because, multiplied a million, a billion times, even small actions will make for great change.

I just hope that you understand that this life on Planet Earth isn’t the end.  I believe, and now I know, that there is life beyond death.  That consciousness survives…

Amen, Dame Jane!

Resources

https://janegoodall.ca/our-stories/dr-jane-goodall-leaves-behind-her-last-words/

 

 

 

  

Heaven bound? Perhaps not too late...

The Ladder of Divine Ascent
(12th Century, Public Domain)

When Donald Trump feels perky at 3 a.m., he might want to ask himself this: Have I really blown my chances of entering those Pearly Gates?  Although he recently declared that such chances are slim to none, perhaps it's not too late for a spiritual 180.

In publicly admitting these doubts, a first essential step has been taken.  Honest self-assessment can be an excellent springboard toward the Light.  Religious history is filled with accounts of sinners turned saints, and fallible folks are often forgiven.

Which isn't to say just keep on doing what you're doing while adding a few cute confessions...  But it is to say that where there's still life, there's still hope - so why let precious time slip away while putting all your somewhat-scrambled eggs in threadbare baskets?

Resources

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/13/donald-trump-heaven/

Christmas Con Maduro

 

Venezuelan Christmas Dish
(Photo by Sosuna27)

When Christmas emphasizes “commerce, activity, culture, carols,” plus “dancing and traditional foods,” its holy essence can get lost in the shuffle.  Politicians and shopkeepers might then milk the hubbub for all it's worth.  They may even decide to lengthen the overall season.

Claiming to defend the Venezuelans' “right to happiness,” President Nicolas Maduro decreed that Christmas 2025 shall begin on October 1^st.  One recipient commented that a prolonged and ghoulish Halloween might be more reflective of the general mood.

Resources

 https://news.yahoo.com/news/articles/maduro-decrees-christmas-october-venezuela-040502796.html

Newest Oldest Mummies

 

Where there's smoke...
(Photo by Tomasz Sienicki)

Let’s face it: mummies are nothing if not old.  Yet old is a relative term, subject to older and even older than that.

So it should come as no surprise that caches of what are currently believed to be “the world’s oldest mummies” have recently surfaced in – of all places – Southeast Asia and China. And never mind a long, drawn-out process of natron desiccation. These newfound mummies were likely smoke dried without further ado.

A sooty solution which seems to have worked out just fine…  Scientists estimate such rituals to have occurred a whopping 10,000 years ago.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2025-09-16-scientists-found-the-worlds-oldest-mummies-in-a-surprWhichising-location/

Religious or Faithful?

Moses and the Golden Calf
(Painting by William Blake)

Some may talk the talk, and even walk the walk, but have they strayed from the path of enduring faith?

If you profess to be a Christian, ask yourself this question:  “Are you merely religious, or are you truly born again?”  Joseph Mattera lists a number of ways that people tend “to deceive themselves about their faith.” 

These include the following: going through religious motions but lacking “inner transformation,” viewing baptism as an endpoint rather than as a progressive beginning, feeling near to God but not actually with God, dabbling in spiritual gifts without developing spiritual fruits, railing against God rather than conversing with God, reciting prayers rather than taking them to heart, and mistaking idolatry for love.

Mattera concludes: “You can be sincere – and sincerely wrong.”  Beware the self-deception that threatens “a believer’s walk.”

Resources

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/10-ways-people-deceive-themselves-about-their-faith/