And you thought it was Jesus...

 

(Public Domain)

Ask most Christians what the essence of church is, and you would likely get a lot of Trinity-based answers.

Not so during a recent gathering at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.  The church was indeed quite full, but full of what is the question.

When such attendees were asked about the essence of church, they didn’t need to pray on it.  The response came quick: “Hockey is a religion in Quebec.”  This crowd was temporarily “churched” in order to drink beer and watch the game on a cathedral-sized screen.

Their logic went like this: The players are like gods, so why not cheer them on within a sacred setting?  They then concluded that Somebody up there must be rightly pleased because Montreal’s team ended up winning the game.

Resources

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/hockey-religion-montreal-fans-pack-030845553.html

Bottle of Wine, Fruit of the Gold Mine

 

(Photo by Alanscottwalker)

When the cost of just one bottle of wine could instead feed thousands of people, it might be time to reevaluate priorities.

“A single bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti” was recently auctioned off for the grand total of “812,500.  How many gallons of milk could that buy? How many sacks of beans?  Pounds of potatoes?

Sure it tasted good - real good!  But does it truly exemplify “the soul and spirit of Burgundy,” as claimed by the chairman of “America’s oldest wine merchant,” Acker?  

When talking “soul and spirit,” a very different type of wine comes to mind - one that evokes a Body that catered to people who could best benefit from a dietary boost.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2026-03-31-worlds-most-expensive-bottle-of-wine-sold-at-auction/

 

Camping Out, Way Out

(Fair Use)

Jackie Gleason must have been onto something when he repeatedly shouted, “To the moon, Alice!” 

Here it is, a mere 70 years later, and NASA is planning to make it happen. Not just for Alice, but eventually for anyone with the means to vacation far from the RV crowd.

Twenty billion can buy a lot here, not to mention a space base there. With that wide a wad, NASA is figuring on pioneering lunar land within the next seven years. Astronauts can then set a spell rather than orbiting above.

You and I may have to wait awhile for some timeshares to develop.  In the meantime, we can fruitfully focus on inner space instead.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2026-03-24-nasa-planning-to-build-a-20-billion-base-on-the-moon/ 

Give a Beneficial Dam

Salmon Run
(Public Domain)

When it comes to preserving the natural environment, beavers give a dam. In doing so, they reshape “rivers into wetlands” that “may help store huge amounts of CO2 – offering a simple, wild solution to climate change.”

Humans, however, have somewhat created a dam nation by indiscriminately blocking the flow of one vital river after another. This not only submerges Native American sacred sites, but also destroys the habitats of salmon, trout, and other prized species.

The film, DamNation, says it better than mere words ever could:

https://www.patagonia.com/stories/damnation/video-79847.html

Additional Resource

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260322020245.htm

 

  

Big and Bigger

(Photo by Michael Gabler)

If you grew up in North America singing, “Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam,” you may not know the difference between buffalo and bison.  Although distantly related, buffalo actually inhabit Africa and Asia, whereas bison inhabit North America and Europe.

My Mythos explains that the bison archetype includes the following strengths:“groundedness and stability, resilience and perseverance, loyalty and protectiveness.”  As a spirit animal, “the Bison’s steady presence may encourage you to slow down, to be present in each moment, and to appreciate the simple gifts of the earth.”

Consider how bison effectively face severe prairie storms.  Their intimate relationship with this vast and fertile land enables them to literally stand their ground during violent upheavals.  With "unflinching endurance,” they do not flee the blizzard, but turn “to face it, a dark immovable island against a sea of white fury.”

Yet they, perhaps like humans themselves, are not cut out to withstand the fury of onrushing technology. Three European bison were recently killed by something even bigger than them: a speeding locomotive.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/news/articles/herd-stop-train-kills-3-105930823.html 

Beetles of Our Lady

(Photo by Francisco Weller-Schultes)

Ever wonder how so-called “ladybugs” got their name? According to National Geographic, these hungry critters have been known to devour up to 5,000 other insects per lifetime. European farmers had been praying to the Virgin Mary for help with keeping crops healthy.  When these eye-catching beetles came along and did their part, they were gratefully named “Beetles of Our Lady, “ later shortened to “ladybugs.”

Clairvoyant Janet Rae Orth claims that ladybugs, known to fly amazingly high (up to 3600 feet) and fast (up to 37 mph), are therefore thought “to fly to the gods and carry our wishes to them.”  Psychic Aycee Brown observes, “Ladybugs are small but carry big energy, signaling that good things are in motion even if you’re not aware of it.”

You might not be aware of it just yet, but ladybugs could be hiding within your very walls.  They, like miracles, can manifest when good and ready.

Resources

https://www.countryliving.com/life/kids-pets/a62546265/ladybug-meaning-symbolism/

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/ladybug

 

There are Ghosts, and Then There are Ghosts

(Fair Use)

Not all ghosts are disembodied.  Some are in the flesh right here and now.  They are the ones about whom you can say: “Now you see 'em, now you don’t!”

In the dating world, ghosting has become rampant. When someone wants a break, they no longer give you fair warning.  Instead, they simply vanish from your life.

What’s worse is a new trend called “ghostlighting.” This occurs when a dating partner simply disappears for a while, then suddenly reappears as though nothing happened.  If you question this phenomenon, you’ll be told that it’s all in your head, and that the interim void was just their compassionate way of giving you the space that you needed.  They will then seek to slide back in without missing a beat.

Therefore, beware!  Not all ghosts are as friendly as Casper.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/movies/reviews/there-s-a-toxic-new-dating-trend-called-ghostlighting-it-s-even-worse-than-ghosting/ar-AA1X3fyQ?cvid=69a0bcb6222644fd8fa0f650d489e2c1&ocid=MicroHP