Pope Francis: A Man who was True

Posted in Church, Hope, Imagination, Life and Living, Love, Religion, Theology1 Comment

Like millions of people around the world, I have been reflecting on the life and ministry of Pope Francis since his death on Easter Monday, and I wanted to put down a few thoughts of gratitude here. [Instead of, say, using AI to dress myself up in the papal finery that he so rarely wore,…… Continue reading Pope Francis: A Man who was True

A Thought for Judas on Good Friday

Posted in Bodies, Church, Forgiveness, Grief, Holy Week, Jesus, Life and Living, Love, Religion, Sin, Suffering, Theology2 Comments

On Good Friday, when death and despair take center stage, I think always of Judas, and his death of anguish, and hopelessness. His death of remorse and regret. His death of guilt and shame. Have you died such a death? On Good Friday, when the narrative of the crucifixion highlights so many bad decisions, scapegoating,…… Continue reading A Thought for Judas on Good Friday

Palm Sunday: Preparation to Celebration [Luke 19:29-34]

Posted in Bible, Easter, Grief, Holy Week, Hope, Imagination, Jesus, Lent, Religion, Scripture, TheologyLeave a comment

“When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you,…… Continue reading Palm Sunday: Preparation to Celebration [Luke 19:29-34]

Think of your Neighbor

Posted in Ethics, Hope, Imagination, Jesus, Life and Living, Love, Religion, Scripture, Social Issues, Social Justice, Theology1 Comment

Like many of my colleagues, I have been feeling a strong sense of whiplash these past few months. If you work at a college, university or seminary, maybe you have been feeling that way, too. All of us in higher education, including those of us in theological education, have been struggling to stay abreast of…… Continue reading Think of your Neighbor

The Legacy of the Celtic Church

Posted in Church, Creation, Imagination, Jesus, Life and Living, Nature, Religion, TheologyLeave a comment

There are many streams that make up the great coursing river of Christianity that ebbs and flows throughout the entire world. The streams all have their source in Jesus Christ, of course, but their shape, taste, depth, and breath all vary, flavored and colored by their different histories and geographies. But as they come together,…… Continue reading The Legacy of the Celtic Church

Fervor in the Face of Futility

Posted in Animals, Creation, Creativity, Environment, Ethics, Hope, Imagination, Life and Living, Love, Nature, Science, Social IssuesLeave a comment

I wanted to share some reflections from an article in the recent issue of The New Yorker. The title of the article was “Helicopter Parents” (by Nick Paumgarten), and from the title alone, I imagine the same topic jumped into your mind as it did into mine: those human parents who hover over their children,…… Continue reading Fervor in the Face of Futility

Prayer and Justice

Posted in Bible, Bodies, Books, Consumerism, Creation, Ethics, Hope, Life and Living, Religion, Scripture, Social Issues, Social Justice, TheologyLeave a comment

Walter Brueggemann is one of my favorite Old Testament scholars, primarily because I am not an Old Testament scholar! I find his writing very accessible, very interesting, and always thought-provoking and generative. I just finished a recent book of essays, Truth and Hope: Essays for a Perilous Age. As the title suggests, the chapters are…… Continue reading Prayer and Justice