In 1914, after Germany invaded Belgium, a magazine had a famous cartoon in which it showed the German Emperor saying to King Albert of Belgium, “So now you have lost everything”; and Albert’s answer came: “But not my soul!” Behind this cartoon there is an important teaching that is also in the Gospel: We, human …
Once an elephant came into the town and was walking down the main street. The elephant was so impressive; no one had seen an elephant before. The people could not believe how big it was. The elephant walked majestically along the street. Suddenly a little lapdog ran up to the elephant and started barking at …
It is said that a very rich king had a reputation for being indifferent to material wealth and that he was known to be a man of deep religiosity, something somewhat unusual for someone of his ranking. Faced with this situation and moved by curiosity, a subject wanted to find out the sovereign’s secret of …
Last year, Pep Guardiola (who is a Spanish professional football manager and currently manager of Premier League club Manchester City) showing a soccer ball to his soccer players said to them: “Some guys don’t want this: to play with the ball. They don’t want this. We will win at Anfield, because we will want this …
There is a story about two men that went to heaven at the same time. When they arrived to heaven, they were surprised about the place that was prepared for them. The first one –we can call him Paul– had lived a favored life. He had a happy childhood, his family was united, and he …
Some of you probably remember the famous movie High Noon (1952). When Gary Cooper was the town sheriff, he put a murderer in jail. This murderer was set free and returned to town with some friends to get revenge. The townspeople abandoned him and he had to deal with the situation alone. His first reaction …
Once St. Anthony, abbot visited the city of Alexandria in Egypt. He went there because Bishop Athanasius (future St. Athanasius) wanted to talk with him there. When St. Anthony entered the city, he saw a woman who was very well dressed and who drew the attention of all those who passed by. St. Anthony immediately …
Suffering from terminal spinal cancer at the age of 47, former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano spoke with a reporter earlier this year. He looked back on his life and told a story about himself as a 23-year-old coach of a small college team. “Why is winning so important to you?” the players …
Once a bishop said that he received a letter from a priest who was critical of his own seminary formation. In that letter he said that all through his years of preparation for priesthood he was often asked, “Are you happy?” “Are you maturing?” “Are you open?” “How are your grades?” But never once, did …
Alfred the Great was king of the West Saxons in England during the ninth century. The days of Alfred’s rule were not easy. His country was invaded by the Danes. The Danes won almost every battle. After many struggles, his army was broken and scattered. He also had to flee to the forest. After days …
