• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Reflecting on his birthday, Father Joseph Breighner writes that Jesus saying: “What you do to the least, you do to me,” can be applied to squirrels. (CNS photo/Mike Segar, Reuters)

What we love

March 1, 2023
By Father Joseph Breighner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, Wit & Wisdom

I turn 78 March 1. There was a time when that age seemed extremely old. Now it seems very young. I share this information, not in the hope of getting cards or letters (yes, they would be welcome), but to show how relative time is.

I don’t understand Einstein’s theory of relativity, but I do realize how our view of time does change over the years. As a young boy, I would have thought anyone who was 70 was indeed very, very old. Now I accept the fact that I have aged. I also accept the fact that each day is a day to do something good for God and for others.

As I have shared before, I like to spend some of my free time each day feeding the squirrels who live in the trees around the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. When they see me, they climb down the trees and run to me. As I stand still tossing the peanuts, some of the squirrels stand right next to my shoes. I’ve learned to look down before I move. I would feel terrible if I injured one of the little guys.

My ministry doesn’t go completely unnoticed. Often someone will stop and ask me what I’m doing. When I say I’m feeding the squirrels, they are almost always delighted. If they have one of their children with them, I always give the child some peanuts to give to the squirrels. Both the children and the squirrels seem to like that.

When a squirrel gets a peanut, he or she often runs across the road behind the cathedral. I can honestly say that I have not seen a single car that did not slow down for the squirrels. Therefore, I have not felt any need to put up a squirrel crossing sign. People who respect life will respect all of life. I think Jesus saying: “What you do to the least, you do to me,” can be applied to squirrels.

I have a picture in my room of Jesus holding a lamb in his arms. I have seen no picture of Jesus holding a squirrel. Life, however, is not just about what we hold in our arms, but what we hold in our hearts. The more we love the happier we all are.

Read More Commentary

A Birmingham jail

What a surprise

Question Corner: Why is it a problem for the SSPX to ordain new bishops?

Might does not always make right, or even sense

With Sheen beatification moving forward, can Church learn from unfortunate episode?

Meet 5 married couples who are saints

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Father Joseph Breighner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

A Birmingham jail

What a surprise

Question Corner: Why is it a problem for the SSPX to ordain new bishops?

Might does not always make right, or even sense

With Sheen beatification moving forward, can Church learn from unfortunate episode?

| Recent Local News |

Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74

Archdiocese of Baltimore couples share stories of love that lasts a lifetime 

Little Sisters of Poor ask for gifts of a little bling to help others 

Mount 2000 attracts more than 1,100 for eucharistic retreat

Oblate Sister M. Felicia Avila, who ministered at St. Ambrose, dies at 89

| Catholic Review Radio |

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Olympic skater aims to honor Italy’s Catholic culture with ‘Conclave’ program
  • Pope supports solidarity with immigrants in U.S.; Catholics must stand together, archbishop says
  • Cardinal Fernández proposes path of theological dialogue with SSPX toward full communion
  • Deacon Jack Ames, Project Rachel volunteer and educator, dies at 74
  • Cuban bishops postpone ‘ad limina’ visit amid fuel shortage crisis
  • The bishop meets ‘the Boss’: New Jersey bishop has impromptu lunch with Bruce Springsteen
  • Police commissioner names Cardinal Dolan as co-chief chaplain of NYPD
  • A Birmingham jail
  • Biographer: Archbishop Sheen challenged U.S. with love he lived, fed by Eucharist

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED