Thin Places
This week, a friend retired after 25 years in one academic institution. She was ready, and yet weepy when the last boxes of books went into the car. It was the end of her work there. It was also the end of her identity as a seminary professor: those books were left behind. Surprised by […]
Green on Both Sides
In the lectionary reading this week*, John provides his version of Jesus’ instruction on the Greatest Commandment, or as he calls it “a new commandment.” Jesus says this after washing their feet, showing the disciples what he means by spiritual cleanliness through humility. Note: this included Judas Iscariot, to whom Jesus also offered Communion at […]
Festival of Dedication
Leading a quiet day at Dayspring today, I held this scripture* from John 10 in my heart, for the retreatants and myself. The setting is an annual Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem with Jesus present. I immediately thought, what is retreat but a Festival of Dedication? Each person coming together with hopes of celebrating and […]
Practice Resurrection
“Come and have breakfast.” This is the risen Christ’s invitation to his disciples in today’s post-resurrection encounter.* Some readers of this gospel story focus on the miracle of an overabundance of fish suddenly manifesting at Jesus’ instruction where a night of fishing by his disciples had been for naught. For me the miracle is in […]