Monday, January 25, 2021 | Reflections
For Paul, a revelation from God (and his ensuing conversion) was a blinding light. Mine came while I was sitting on a mountain outcrop, overlooking the Arkansas River Valley on a brisk fall day. As the breeze blew gently, I simply knew without a doubt that...
Sunday, January 24, 2021 | Reflections
Some of you may know how easy it is to become lost in the New York City subway system. I got turned around down there once myself. I simply stood on the platform, staring blankly at the lighted information board. A wonderful man from India politely asked...
Saturday, January 23, 2021 | Reflections
While on a sabbatical in the winter of 1865, beloved clergyman and poet Phillips Brooks arranged to be in Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve, he visited the shepherds’ fields and wrote the hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” It was a tumultuous year in the U….(View...
Friday, January 22, 2021 | Reflections
The first time I saw the Sea of Galilee with my own eyes, I remember thinking, “This is nothing more than a big lake!” I began to wonder about stories like this one from Mark, where great gales are reported. I remember sitting at sunset by the sea, peac….(View...
Thursday, January 21, 2021 | Reflections
Agnes and Cecilia are among only seven women, including the Virgin Mary, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass of the Roman Catholic Church. Agnes was twelve years old when she was martyred. Cecilia was older and married when she was put to death....
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 | Reflections
Fabian was an unlikely pope. He wasn’t even an ordained priest on the day of his election in 236 CE. According to tradition, as he stood in a crowd in Rome, a dove came and alighted upon Fabian’s head. The multitude began to shout, “He is worthy, he is worthy!” Just...
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 | Reflections
We have two families—the family we get and the family that we make for ourselves. Jesus points to a kinship above and beyond the reality of blood. I think the old gospel song, “Blessed Be the Tie that Binds,” preaches this word, too. What Jesus is sugg….(View...
Monday, January 18, 2021 | Reflections
“Who do you say that I am?” My spiritual director gave this question to me to contemplate for a liturgical season. She was clear: “Don’t try to spiritualize the question. Don’t try to be abstract with it or mystical: Just look at every word and think about your...
Sunday, January 17, 2021 | Reflections
We prize freedom, so it might not exactly be good news to have Paul tell the Corinthians that their bodies are not their own. He says instead that their bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. So much of our spirituality seems to be outside our bodies,...
Saturday, January 16, 2021 | Reflections
Christian author Tony Campolo has a great book entitled, Adventures in Missing the Point. Today’s lesson from Mark is such a moment in scripture. The poor Pharisees begin to pontificate upon the law and the rules and what is “right.” On the o….(View this reading...
