Category: Mary

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Posted in Advent, Bodies, Church, Creativity, Feminist, Hope, Imagination, Life and Living, Love, Mary, Religion, Scripture, TheologyLeave a comment

A sermon delivered at Wartburg Seminary, on the commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I invite you to reflect on the image above as a focal point for the sermon:  “The Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe,” by Yolanda López. López imagines Mary as a vibrant, energetic woman of strength, determination and…… Continue reading Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mary’s song, and ours

Posted in Advent, Church, Hope, Imagination, Incarnation, Jesus, Life and Living, Love, Mary, Religion, TheologyLeave a comment

Plaque with the Annunciation (ca. 1200–1225). Catalan or Central Italian. Made in Central Italy. Accession number: 41.100.180 This is the season [sometimes the only season!] when Protestants give space for intentional reflection on Mary. We set up our creches and prepare for the coming of Christ, giving thanks for Mary’s faithful witness and her participation…… Continue reading Mary’s song, and ours

Henri Nowen & The Prodigal Son

Posted in Art, Bible, Bodies, Books, Creativity, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Holy Week, Hope, Imagination, Incarnation, Jesus, Life and Living, Mary, Scripture, Theology1 Comment

A book was recommended to me in May that I just now got around to reading: The Prodigal Son, by Henri Nowen. The book is a very thorough, very detailed examination of Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son” [pictured above, on the book’s cover]. Even so, at the same time, the book is…… Continue reading Henri Nowen & The Prodigal Son

Treasure, and Faith

Posted in Bible, Church, Forgiveness, Holy Week, Hope, Incarnation, Jesus, Lent, Life and Living, Love, Mary, Religion, ScriptureLeave a comment

Members of the Wartburg Seminary community have been writing short daily devotions during the Lenten season, and I have really enjoyed the opportunity to start my morning with these meaningful reflections. Last week, two of my colleagues, Dr. Samantha Gilmore [our preaching professor], and the Rev. Dr. Troy Troftgruben [our New Testament professor] each wrote…… Continue reading Treasure, and Faith

“Stranger Fruit”

Posted in Art, Bodies, Ethics, Grief, Imagination, Jesus, Life and Living, Mary, Racism, Social Issues, Social Justice1 Comment

If you get National Geographic, you saw this compelling article, which came out in the October 2020 issue. It highlighted a new art installation called “Stranger Fruit,” in which “black mothers pose with the sons they fear losing to violence.” Here are the opening sentences of the article: “There is a demand put upon you…… Continue reading “Stranger Fruit”