Smashing Convention
Of course, I had to read the recent NYT article “Kung Fu Nuns of Nepal Smash Convention.” It described how a group of Buddhist nuns are challenging longstanding traditional concepts about what women can and can’t do by practicing Kung Fu, which gives them “inner confidence” and readies them to “take care of others during crises.” And they […]
Bewilderment
We enter this week before Christmas telling the story, beginning with these simple words: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.* I am struck by how ordinary (i.e., messy) is the start of the life of a Messiah. Messy in that it is not what we expect, not all that tidy and neat, and […]
The More Radical Cause
It’s very awkward to think: You know, Judas had a point.* He had argued that Mary’s use of the perfume was a waste; it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. After all, Jesus spoke often about justice for the poor; he told the rich young man, “Go, sell what you own, […]
Identity Questions
Who am I really? Who are you? Who is Jesus? And what is the growing edge of truth in responding to these questions? What is the meaning, the value of asking and responding to these questions? I well remember Gordon Cosby’s stories about various responses people make to Jesus’ question in Mark: “Who do you […]