Pope Francis hit just the right note when he baptized 28 babies in the Sistine Chapel, which may have been the greatest show of life there since Michelangelo was painting its ceiling. As the babies' cries increased in pitch, he noted that "the concert has begun" and wondered if Baby Jesus' cries weren't His first "homily."
All of which reminded one old-timer of a patient, loving rabbi he'd known who, far from objecting when his sermon was interrupted by a squalling baby, described it as the sweetest sound in the world. So L'Chaim! Let's lift our glasses to popes and rabbis and sweet spirits of all denominations or none who have their priorities in the right life-affirming order. That sound you hear is Old Ned, complete with forked tail and tongue to match, grinding his teeth in frustration as He is foiled again.
Editorial on 01/14/2017