Preparing for Lent this week (the penitential season of 40 days before Easter), I read the following words in our church’s weekly bulletin, written by our Deacon. A very simple explanation of a very profound experience, they capture how the church calendar mimics, defines and elevates the human experience. There’s a place in Christianity for … Continue reading
Savior of the world, be present in all places of suffering, violence and pain, and bring hope even in the darkest night. Inspire us to continue your work of reconciliation today. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. This post is part of a series, February Beautiful; you can also see other posts with prayers.
Yesterday, I was on my way to visit my…well, technically my step-grandmother-in-law, but since that’s a mouthful, I just call her Bubby Lola. She lives in a town about two hours away, and I found myself driving and listening to the Interdenominational Protestant Service of Worship at Marsh Chapel (part of Boston University, streamed on NPR). Wedding, a … Continue reading
We prayed this prayer at church this morning (from the Book of Common Prayer) – a moving plea and beautiful invitation to us all. A Collect for Refugees and Immigrants: Heavenly Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name, have mercy on all those who sojourn in this world. As you sheltered your son … Continue reading
There is this rather ordinary window, with a gauzy white curtain that billows. The window pane, painted white decades ago, overlooks a street corner; the brick walls of the gas station poke into view and remind me of my hometown. Occasionally a sedan drives by, an older man on his way for a lotto ticket, … Continue reading
The Ordinary Tree 6:25 am and we sit in the chapel bleary eyed with sleep, psalm after psalm and outside the open window with the icons perched precariously is a tree. The leaves warrant not more than a passing glance – just plain old green with a few crab apples, not even good for flinging, … Continue reading
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Words week after week, sometimes sung, and usually with hands up, down and across – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Those words ring out today, hundreds of voices proclaiming and waving palms, re-living that day. We are that crowd, hungry for Someone and … Continue reading
Crumbles of what was dark earth, dark matter, dark me. Smaller, lighter, less; smeared heavy on the forehead the press of another’s hand very real. Flesh touches flesh Ashes. Seeds of what might be broken wings, broken light, broken me. Pieces, parts, shreds; lifted by hands, held by love the very mark of dirt, a … Continue reading
I had one of those moments recently where something, which may or may not be obvious, occurred to me for the first time. You know that feeling, when your mouth hangs slightly ajar, you blink as if in slow motion and a look of comical confusion comes across your face? That sinking feeling that what you … Continue reading
This is the sermon I preached last week at my church. Do you remember the song “Follow the Yellow Brick Road?” from the Wizard of Oz? It’s basically the instruction that Dorothy was given in order to get home. She had landed in Oz – a strange and confusing place, and wanted to get back … Continue reading
"That got me thinking..." 