Our Goal is the Resurrection Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. (Introit for the 4th Sunday of Lent) Our Goal is Almost in Sight Why rejoice in the middle of Lent? Isn't Lent a solemn and penitential season? And haven't … Continue reading Our Goal is the Resurrection: Ain’t No Grave
Gabriel’s Annunciation and Mary’s Renunciation
Gabriel's Annunciation and Mary's Renunciation Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son,and shall name him Emmanuel,which means “God is with us!” (Isaiah 7:14) Gabriel's Annunciation There's something that doesn't seem to make sense at first in today's Gospel reading (Luke 1:26-38). Here's the … Continue reading Gabriel’s Annunciation and Mary’s Renunciation
More Than a Building: A Church is Much, Much More
More Than a Building: Christ is Our Model in All Things In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . (John 1:1,4) Any truly Christian anthropology needs to start … Continue reading More Than a Building: A Church is Much, Much More
The Spirit of Lent: Two Choruses from Handel’s Messiah
The Spirit of Lent Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5-4) Capturing the … Continue reading The Spirit of Lent: Two Choruses from Handel’s Messiah
You’re Standing on Holy Ground
God said, “Come no nearer!Remove the sandals from your feet,for the place where you stand is holy ground. (Exodus 3:5) The Burning Bush I was fascinated by the image of the burning bush when I was a little boy. I was also intrigued by God's demand that Moses remove his sandals. What exactly is "holy … Continue reading You’re Standing on Holy Ground
St. Joseph: Steward of the King
St. Joseph and Joseph Son of Jacob . . . He had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass the word of the LORD tested him. … Continue reading St. Joseph: Steward of the King
Fear and Hope: Confutatis and Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem
Fear and Hope are the twin themes of the "Confutatis and Lacrimosa" from Mozart's Requiem. If thou, O LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope . . . (Psalm … Continue reading Fear and Hope: Confutatis and Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem
2nd Sunday of Lent: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (c)
2nd Sunday of Lent: 2nd Sunday of Lent: What is the Goal? One of the first things a new teacher learns is that you need to start with a clear idea of where you want to end up. If we’re not clear on what we want our students to learn, then our … Continue reading 2nd Sunday of Lent: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (c)
Let’s Keep the Confessional Open
The Seal of the Confessional? What's wrong with the picture above? At first glance it looks like a confessional of the sort you used to be able to find in any Catholic church. A closer look reveals that the doors through which the penitents were accustomed to enter have been replaced by plain panels. There's no way … Continue reading Let’s Keep the Confessional Open
Random Selection Favors Religion, or, What Would Darwin Do?
I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:19) An Angry God Random selection appears to have doomed its most enthusiastic promoters to extinction. I want to be clear that I am not taking issue in this post with the theory … Continue reading Random Selection Favors Religion, or, What Would Darwin Do?