Bishop Tobin on 'Nipping It in the Bud'

"Fans of the venerable TV program, the 'Andy Griffith Show' will immediately recognize the names of the principal players . . .

"Perhaps the most lovable character was Barney Fife. Barney was hilarious, as inept as he was sincere. Barney was excitable, prone to high drama. He was the caped-crusader railing against bad habits and social evils, real or imagined. And whenever he sensed danger coming down the road, he warned one and all: 'You've got to nip it; nip it in the bud.'

"Barney's famous battle cry has become a fixture in pop culture, often found on t-shirts, posters, film clips, memes and now, even face masks."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on some of the spiritual aspects of "nipping it in the bud." 

To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:

The Imitation of Christ: Nip It! Nip It In The Bud! (3 JUN 21)