We are a bug-phobic society. We have disinfectant sprays, wipes and gels for our hands, the air in our houses and cars and for any surface we can attack. It has even got so ridiculous that kids can’t build up normal immune systems because they aren’t exposed to enough bugs – they need to eat more dirt.

In our social media crazed culture people are watching one another like hawks and quickly challenge, criticize or even demonize those they find disagreeable of inappropriate. Quiet conversation or exchange of difficult ideas can be destroyed by the overheated rhetorical environment.

There is a deep wound in our human experience. Hundreds were brutally murdered in a mosque in Egypt – but that’s a long way from home.  The manifold media sources are filled with nonstop stories of sexual predation. The powerful accused in the sexual misconduct cases are also distant and easy to see as “not like me”. We don’t see the latter as dramatically destructive as the former.

Leonardo da Vinci’s name associated with the painting Salvator Mundi produced a record price of $450 million at auction last week. One wag suggested that it should be called “Saviour of the Art World” because the profit is enormous despite its questioned provenance and condition.

The painting may have some Leonardo work, it may be his “school” that produced it, the frame is damaged, the canvas has been painted over, repaired, cleaned and restored – but other than that it has no problems. Yet someone paid more for it than anyone thinks is reasonable –except the purchaser.

The Celtic cross pictured here has been a companion in my life for nearly 15 years. A friend carved it for me and it has weathered gracefully. I have spent many hours of quiet, sitting facing the cross on my own and with good friends. It is rough, welcoming, challenging, humbling and profoundly mysterious.