Roman Nativity

Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images

When I lived in Rome I discovered that Romans know how to make many things beautiful. Here workers have placed a nativity scene inside a bulldozer during the holiday. I can see it as kitchy and I can see it as incredibly profound. What do you see?

Spirituality and the Brain

Recent research pinpoints the place in the brain that accounts for some people revealing more traits associated with being spiritual, notably, selflessness. So if you tend to be spiritual and if you ever encounter skeptics who say "That religion/spirituality stuff is all in your head," you can say, "Yes, you're absolutely right.

A Picture of Faith

To me this symbolizes faith: the dirty, worn hands, holding on lovingly to the rosary. Anyone who lives a life of faith experiences the trials this life has, but still chooses to love.

Changzhi, China

Photograph: /Reuters

Feast Day: Our Lady of Guadalupe

A pilgrim in Mexico City.

Photo: Miguel Tovar/AP

Vegetarianism Helps Climate

I've been a vegetarian for 26 years. It was a decision grounded in compassion for other living beings. Now with our earth's fragile condition, there are even more reasons to reduce meat and dairy consumption. If you eat meat and dairy, try this suggestion of reducing meat consumption to four days a week and milk consumption to just a liter of milk a week. And then, breathe in fresher, cleaner air.

Surfer Dog

Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

So, as long as no dogs are harmed, I think this is way cool: a pretty cool pup is participating in the small dog category of a surfer dog competition in Del Mar, California.

Blessing of the Taxis

Today, the annual blessing of the Taxi Cabs took place in San Francisco. Given the traffic in the City, I wish the friars would also hold an annual blessing of pedestrians!