• 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

Pink streaks across a pale blue ksy at sunrise

We can help make the impossible possible

If we truly believe … 

Christ’s prayer for unity

God’s grace overcomes our imperfections – and the Colts reflected it in 1971

Question Corner: Is confession required for obtaining a plenary indulgence if there is no mortal sin?

Silence and stillness  

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Father Joseph Breighner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Pink streaks across a pale blue ksy at sunrise

We can help make the impossible possible

If we truly believe … 

God’s grace overcomes our imperfections – and the Colts reflected it in 1971

Christ’s prayer for unity

Question Corner: Is confession required for obtaining a plenary indulgence if there is no mortal sin?

| Recent Local News |

Archdiocese of Baltimore’s discernment retreat supports vocations

St. Mary’s Seminary names Father Shawn Gould as next rector

Catholic Review sponsoring pilgrimage to Marian sites in Europe

Sister Christina Christie, former Anglican nun who led her community into the Catholic Church, dies at 94

St. Carlo Acutis statues unveiled in Harford County parishes

| 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

  • We can help make the impossible possible
  • Movie Review: ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’
  • Capuchin friar who was one of last people with direct ties to Padre Pio dies at age 85
  • Kyiv’s iconic St. Nicholas Church returns to Catholic hands for 50 years
  • Papal puzzle lovers: Popes Leo XIV and XIII noted for liking word games
  • Ohio nuns lament downfall of their former nursing home under new owners
  • Movie Review: ‘Greenland 2: Migration’
  • Archdiocese of Baltimore’s discernment retreat supports vocations
  • Surrogacy reduces children to products for sale, Vatican foreign minister says

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED