Given that his “Dilbert” cartoon spoofed corporate life, it seems fitting Adams approached the idea of religious conversion as a dryly analytical risk-return computation. To some his thinking recalled “Pascal’s wager,” in which 17th-century mathematician Blaise Pascal reasoned that a 50 percent probability of God’s existence represented a bet worth making.

By all appearances, January’s consistory was a first step to returning to a more collegial sense of governance that has largely marked the exercise of papal ministry since the Second Vatican Council.

Although few of us will ever sing at the Grand Ole Opry, may each of us find a way to use the talents God has given us.

Anyone along the way could have said, “No.” “Not today.” “Why should we bother?” But people said yes,

When we know we have safe spaces where we can return — like our family home, our favorite chair or our regular parish pew — we can strike out in good faith and courage to do whatever challenging work that God calls us to do.

We need to tone down the rhetoric and see each other as people – flawed and fearful, but also hopeful and holy.

God shows us that our imperfections can become fields of second chances – moments when perseverance, mercy and shared burden accomplish what perfection never could.

Since the Second Vatican Council the Catholic Church has been entirely committed to ecumenism. While much of the work to accomplish unity is handled at higher levels, we each need to do our part.

It’s useful to observe that the Church presumes that one seeking an indulgence will already be in a state of grace, meaning free from unconfessed mortal sin.

The weight of a loaded schedule is possible even in retirement, but the weight is made lighter in silence with God, and in time for stillness to stop and sip coffee instead of taking it to go.