“Forgiveness is a beautiful idea – until you have something to forgive.” (C.S.Lewis) (Listen here to the reflection that this post is based on. Length: 12:32) Maybe you’ve heard of Corrie Ten Boom, who grew up in Holland before WWII. Her family had a hiding place for Jews in their home, and one day […]
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Scripture Reflection
Scripture Reflection Here I share the fruits of my personal reflection on the Word of God, whether I’m reading along with the lectionary readings for that week or exploring a particular book of the Bible. Enjoy the posts that appear below; you’ll find them with the most recent first. If you’re looking for something in […]
MOVIE NIGHT: A Lesson in Prayer from “Little Big Man”
Near the end of Little Big Man, the 1970 film with Dustin Hoffman, Faye Dunaway, and Chief Dan George, the aged medicine man—who has survived the massacre at Wounded Knee and seen victory at the Battle of Little Big Horn—prepares to die. On a high, lonely mountain he sings and dances before the god he […]
DON’T BE AFRAID: Jesus is with you!
One week after Easter, I can totally relate to the disciples. They are huddled behind locked doors, afraid of what the Jews might do to them. They must be still in shock from the crucifixion, even though they’ve been hearing that Jesus has risen. He’s not with them in the same way that he used […]
WHO DESERVES MERCY?
The man lies on a stretcher, desperately in need of medical attention. He’s not far from the door to the hospital, but no one will admit him. It’s a Union army hospital—and the man is a Confederate soldier. A nurse tries in vain to get him help. Finally she cries out, fiercely, “Everyone deserves mercy!” […]
LOVE: ALWAYS THERE FOR THE GIVING
“When you run out of love, just make some more!” My grandmother used to tell me this when I was having trouble loving someone or forgiving them. You might not like someone, but you can always love them. “Like,” having to do with feelings, you can’t control. “Love,” having to do with actions, you can. […]
THE POWER OF LOVE TO HEAL: John 21:15-19
Years ago, I betrayed the trust of another mom who thought I was watching her child. It was not intentional (I did not know she thought I had her child) so strictly speaking it was not a betrayal, but that is how she felt. Any relationship we might have had was broken. The balm of […]
WELCOMING THE LIGHT OF EASTER
Q: How many people does it take to understand an empty tomb? A: On that first Easter morning, according to John’s gospel, it took three. First responder Mary Magdalene assumed the worst and ran for help. John stopped at the door, noting the cloths left behind. Not until Simon Peter went into the tomb and […]
CLIMBING THE “SPIRITUAL LADDER” TO EASTER: Psalm 6
As is often the case, my heart is hard by the time Lent rolls around. I need help to soften and to turn it, so I can recognize my sin: the ways I’ve missed the mark or turned good to my own ends or put my own will before God’s. Or my needs before those […]
DIVINE MERCY: WHAT’S IT TO YOU?
It is part of our human condition that grief and fear blind us to heavenly realities. On Easter Sunday, St. Paul challenged us with Colossians 3:1-4: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above…. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life […]
