The Four Graces of Lent
I compare them to the four cookie jars on the stainless steel table next to the refrigerator.
1.The grace of ambiguity
Is it a pretzel rod or a pretzel stick?
At an early juncture in my life as a Jesuit, I learned the grace of ambiguity.
Young missionary to Peru NY.
It is easy to forget that the most important aspect of comedy, after all, its great saving grace, is its ambiguity. You can simultaneously laugh at a situation, and take it seriously.  There are so many different ways lives work out, so many stories, and every one of them is precious: full of joy and heartbreak, and a fair amount of situation comedy.
2. The grace of anonimity
Are they Pecan sandies or are they soft Walmart Soft Oatmeal Cookies?
n my mind
Worlds collide
Something inside me is gone
Still I keep goin’ on

In my mind
Oceans divide
I don’t know where I belong
But still I keep holding on and on

I get by in a world with no conscience
By shouting it out and being anonymous
And the problem is
You’re just like me
We get by in a world with no conscience
By shouting it out and being anonymous
(Hello hello hello)

In my mind
Worlds collide
Something inside me is gone
Still I keep goin’ on

In my mind
Oceans divide
I don’t know where I belong
But still I keep holding on and on

I get by in a world with no conscience
By shouting it out and being anonymous
And the problem is
You’re just like me
We get by in a world with no conscience
By shouting it out and being anonymous
Anonymous (Hello hello hello)
Is there anybody out there?
(Hello hello hello hello)

I get by in a world with no conscience
I try and I try but I am anonymous
And the problem is
You’re just like me
Just like me

I get by in a world with no conscience
By shouting it out and being anonymous
And the problem is
You’re just like me (just like me)
We get by in a world with no conscience
By shouting it out and being anonymous (Hello hello hello)
I feel so anonymous (Hello hello hello)
We feel so anonymous (Hello hello hello)  

3. The grace of art:
Caravaggio's crowning with thorns
the light and the dark
like the Oreo cookies 


4. The grace of aria Fig Newton

Frondi tenere e belle
del mio platano amato
per voi risplenda il fato.
Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
né giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.

Ombra mai fu
di vegetabile,
cara ed amabile,
soave più.

Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never disturb your dear peace,
nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.

Never was a shade
of any plant
dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet.