Author Archives: vplopez
Miserable Pride vs. Joyful Humility
(I wrote this piece for the May 2022 newsletter of the California Association of American Mothers, Inc.: https://www.americanmothers.org/) How can we find joy and peace in motherhood? By embracing the difficult work of growing in virtue and fighting against vice as … Continue reading
Womanly Intuition
(I wrote this piece for the April 2022 newsletter of the California Association of American Mothers, Inc.: https://www.americanmothers.org/) I would like to begin my “corner” by considering some ancient ideas about knowledge and ethics: intuition, virtue, and vice. As mothers, … Continue reading
My honor from American Mothers, Inc.
My sweet neighbor nominated me for Mother of the Year, and I was selected for my state!
Spread Fire, Not Cancer
Here is the link to my essay “At Pentecost: Spread Fire, Not Cancer.” It explores the contrasting images of fire and cancer and how they relate to self-giving love and selfishness, respectively:
Trending or Tradition?
Here is the link to my article “Trending or Tradition?” It summarizes peer vs. parent orientation and applies it as a cultural and religious analytical tool:
The Morality of Dolphins (and Ourselves)
What can dolphin behavior teach us about ourselves? My oldest son is a budding zoologist. At his request, we read aloud The Dolphins of Shark Bay by Pamela S. Turner.[1] Shark Bay, Australia, is an ideal location for studying dolphins … Continue reading
The Body of Christ at the Organ and Cellular Level: The Reproductive System
Within my body, I have a complete nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, etc. These systems sustain and benefit my own bodily life. But what about the reproductive system? The reproductive system is only complete when joined with … Continue reading
The Body of Christ at the Organ and Cellular Level: The Circulatory System
I have been reflecting on how the imagery of the Church as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12 and elsewhere) resonates at all levels of the human body. This idea first struck me while waiting in line to receive … Continue reading
Mary, the Completion of Redeemed Humanity
While contemplating the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary, I was struck by the parallels between the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus and the Assumption and Coronation of Mary. Hence the following musings: When God created humankind in His image and … Continue reading
Handmaid of Your Handmaid
Luke 1:38 from the Vulgate: “dixit autem Maria ecce ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum” Vanessa: “Ecce ancilla ancillae tuae (Behold, I am the handmaid of Your Handmaid).”
Summa Vanessae 