Lament
Last week I visited a friend’s family. Their 3-year-old grandson repeatedly fell apart while testing boundaries and losing. This is normal behavior for his age. Still, I was struck by the intensity of his grief. It was real and loud. I was also struck by the tender love of his parents. Each time, one of […]
Long Shadows
After his descent into the river, Jesus gives himself to another downward journey. He has been blessed, and now will be tested. It will not be a scripted act for show. It was not a done deal that he would pass. He was led into the wild by the Spirit*, to a place of long […]
Radiant Wholeness
As Lent approaches, I am watching the slow miracle of orchids opening on my windowsill. Fleshy green leaves brush the chilled glass as a third flower opens from the line of buds. Amid other mementos on the sill, deep crimson stipples the white petals and a golden throat opens. Its radiance stuns me awake. Outside, […]
Two-by-fours and Specks!
In light of this week’s gospel passage,* I have been trying to think of contemporary examples of people who are not judging others. There are sure to be numerous examples, but I haven’t been able to think of a single one. On the other hand, I can think without effort of at least twenty examples […]