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 particular, try typing a topic, book of the Bible, or other keyword into the search field at the bottom of the page. Topics I write about frequently include those listed below:
The mirror isn't my friend first thing in the morning, especially after a late night. Bleary eyes, hair every which way — I look as bad as I feel! I shut my eyes, grab a washcloth, and start scrubbing: only when I’ve dried my face and brushed my hair do I look back in the mirror, hoping that other face ...
Our hike took us to a long tunnel through a hill. We were excited when we found it. An adventure! The kids stacked their bikes at the entrance and ran ahead chattering, exclaiming over things they found inside. Soon there was no more light behind us than there was ahead. As though on command we grew quiet. Hands reached out ...
Here's a shout-out to all the women in my life on Mother's Day, starting with my mother and aunts and daughter and daughters-in-law and extending to friends far and near—both "actual" mothers and those who are mothers in a spiritual sense: "A woman of valor who can find? Far beyond pearls is her value." "Woman of valor" – or "good ...
Today we enter the darkness. We feel the betrayal of Judas, then stand at a distance with Peter, deny Jesus ourselves. Like Peter, we are afraid. What use is there, for all this suffering? On Good Friday, we enter into it. We stand horrified beside the cross. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We are crushed by the ...
This coming week — Holy Week — can be hard. Sunday will be hard, to start, with a good 15 minutes of Gospel reading at mass, plus the procession of palms, and the homily.... Church will be long. And the kids will fidget in their seats while adults pretend not to. Prepare yourself ahead so you can enter in. Because ...
I sat with my grandmother in the hospital toward the end of her life, miserable to think that she would soon be gone. As was typical with her, she was the one comforting me. At 22, I couldn't imagine life after anybody's death . . . but she could. "But God, Sarah," she said. "...but God! No matter how black the picture ...
The first (and last!) horror movie I ever watched was "Wait Until Dark." I was ten. I will never forget the way Audrey Hepburn, blind and alone in her apartment, evened the score against the men trying to find her by breaking the light bulbs one by one ... then her helpless panic when she heard the refrigerator door open ...
Lent is making me grumpy. I decided this year to give up more food than I usually do and my stomach and head are not happy. So Sunday’s readings really speak to me: will I be like Israel, complaining in the desert, or will I be like the woman of Samaria who looked to Jesus to fill her need? What ...
The view from the Mount of Transfiguration (if it was, indeed, Mt. Tabor that Jesus was on that day) is spectacular. It's a long, winding trip to the top. The road today is so narrow and crooked that only small taxi buses or people on foot make the trek. I like to imagine Peter, James, and John hiking up there ...
