We all have bad situations with which to deal. We cope with them—until they start stringing together. The day starts with the toaster burning the bread. That you can handle. The oil light blinks as you drive to work. No problem. You’re ready for scheduled maintenance the end of the month. You realize that you’ve forgotten your lunch and the vending machine is broken. Oh well! Then the boss demands you stay late to finish a project. Why me? Suddenly, you realize you are angry. Traffic is at a standstill despite your late departure. Now the day has really gotten to you. You get home and find out that the cable TV is out. Even the third beer doesn’t help. The frozen pizza keeps you up. What a day!

I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for self-help. I really want Dr. Phil’s relationship advice. I wish Suze Orman would whip my finances into shape. From Eckhart Tolle to Stephen Covey, Chicken Soup for the Soul to The Secret—I love it all.

Jonah is one of several biblical characters who can’t seem to see beyond their own noses, their own judgments. Like Isaiah and Jeremiah, Jonah is not crazy about being a prophet. When God sends him to Nineveh to preach judgment, Jonah buys a ticket for Tarshis. When he does show up in Nineveh smelling like fish and proclaiming God’s judgment, what happens? Everyone repents, from the king to the cows—and Jonah is royally angry at God!

Mothers hear everything. They detect the slightest whisper of change in a baby’s breathing; the tiny whine that will lead to a wail if a toddler’s food or sleep doesn’t come quick; the worry and angst in a teenager’s sullenness; the heartbreak and confusion in a young adult’s short temper.

It was a long and circuitous journey that somehow (I call it grace) brought the family surrounding the baptismal font back to the church. Judgmental words and self-righteous pomposity had driven them away. Simple acts of kindness and welcome eventually led them back with their three sons, ages 6, 4, and 2, to gather around the font flowing with the waters of rebirth. Their three Baptisms would mark the beginning of a new life of faith for the family, a recommitment by the parents who, when all is noted, had never really left their belief behind, just its locus.

My grandmother had the largest nativity scene I’ve ever seen. Her family would tease her that the entire population of Bethlehem was represented by the number of figurines that covered a sideboard—and even extended to other nearby tables. Three wise men? Try 12.

[Into cell phone.] “Oh, hi! I was wondering when you’d call. I know, we’re lucky if we can catch our breath after the holidays. 

In my entire eight years of life I had never received an invitation to a party in the mail. Murray from across the alley was celebrating his birthday. Mom made me check the return card saying I would be there, explaining to me what RSVP meant.

There are so few ritual ceremonies in modern life anymore, especially ones that involve wearing a special costume. For many Catholics, baptism and marriage are the big two. For women, both involve wearing a beautiful (and often very expensive) white gown.

As a treat—and with the help of a Groupon—four friends just out of college rented a limo as a send-off to one in the group who was moving away. They had two hours of luxury: eating hors d’oeuvres, sipping champagne, and feeling like movie stars. Spirits were high as they headed along a main thoroughfare where a summer festival was in full swing. All of a sudden, a pedestrian who was not paying attention walked right into the side of the limo as it cruised by.