“--May Christ the Light shine upon you and scatter the darkness in your path.” Those words were spoken by the pastor at the conclusion of the worship gathering today. Hearing them, I listened no further as my mind shifted to this past week. The darkness in the nation’s path. The darkness swarming up the Capitol steps, shoving and smashing. “Scatter the darkness in your … [Read more...] about Confession on the Sunday After
Protests and an “Island of Peace”
In my last post I wrote that from my place of white privilege, the lament psalms don't seem to apply much to me at the moment. Instead I find myself resonating and praying them with those who are struggling with racial injustice and for all people who with them are working for change. Protests continue around the nation and world, and some of my colleagues and neighbors will … [Read more...] about Protests and an “Island of Peace”
Psalms from the Underside
On most mornings I begin a time of prayerful quiet by reading a psalm. I often write in my journal my personal prayers that sprout out of the psalmists' thoughts---things that I am struggling with or perhaps celebrating in my own life. But over the last couple of weeks there has been a shift. I have hit a stretch of psalms, 52-64, that have slowed me down, one after … [Read more...] about Psalms from the Underside
War and Peace of a Beloved Beast
I wrote a "book" of Chester's and my adventures on our pilgrim walk from D.C. to Pittsburgh on the C&O Canal/Allegheny Passage Bike trail while for sabbatical I was learning the Gospel of John by heart. That was twelve years ago. Today I said good-bye to Chester as he settled in for his final sleep. This story seems appropriate. Some of you have heard pieces of it in … [Read more...] about War and Peace of a Beloved Beast
When I Forget to Breathe
When we are born we inhale our first breath. When we die we exhale our last breath. In between we are called to notice the holy gift of breathing. Why holy? In Hebrew the word for breath is “ruach,” and it can mean breath, wind and spirit. In the beginning of creation the ruach of God moved over the waters. (Genesis 1) A wind? A breath? A spirit? It's up to your … [Read more...] about When I Forget to Breathe