Retreat or Rest?
To “come away and rest” seems so counter-cultural. Surely we should be planning another meeting or a bucket-list destination. But going somewhere to rest? Why would we do that? Jesus makes that invitation very clear.* The disciples need respite. They’ve been so busy, coming and going, that they haven’t even had time to eat, so […]
The Dancing Girl
Giovanni di Paolo, “Head of John the Baptist Presented to Herod” 1454 In today’s Gospel,* a young girl is commanded to entertain her step-father and his important guests. These leering men did not care what this girl might feel as they enjoyed undressing her with their eyes, indulging their lustful imaginations as they watched her […]
Unprepared
I like to be prepared. I jot down notes before medical appointments and work meetings so I don’t forget important points. Each weekend I sit down and plan my meals for the coming week so I can grocery shop for everything I need to have on hand. I have a spreadsheet of items to pack […]
On Healing and Faith
Image: I Will Be Made Well © Jan Richardson The stories of Jesus saying that people were healed because they believed in his power, or that someone else believed it on their behalf,* trouble me. While the power of belief is what makes placebos work, it is all too easy to blame people for lack […]
