“In the face of death, I realized that it was not love that kept me clinging to life but unresolved anger. Love, real love flowing from me or toward me, sets me free to die. Death would not undo that love. To the contrary, death would deepen it and strengthen […]
Christianity
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This is an entry in the “Acrostic Contemplations.” See “Q is for ‘Quails’” Manna is a word that remains fairly well known in the English language and most people will even recognize an echo of the Exodus in its usage. The term is actually the Hebrew phrase meaning “What is it?” […]
This is an entry in the “Acrostic Contemplations.” Lent, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, cones from Old Dutch and Old German, meaning “long” or “lengthen.” It is a reference to the lengthening of days in the spring and in some Old English texts, the term is synonymous with spring. […]
Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany, Year C (February 23, 2025) “The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, […]
Elizabeth’s collection of essays by this title was published by Sunbury Press in November 2024. It is a beautiful and powerful set of reflections upon suffering and grace. She worked with the press to design a small book that can easily fit into a pocket or purse. The book is also available […]
I have a confession. Until recently, I had not read C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. I know, hard to believe, right? Especially for a kid from an evangelical background, but the truth is, I found the constant analogies annoying. I would get a chapter or two into it and my […]
Wendell Berry, Sabbath Poems, 1982. VII The clearing rests in song and shade. It is a creature made By old light held in soil and leaf, By human joy and grief, By human work, Fidelity of sight and stroke, By rain; by water on The parent stone. We join our work to Heaven’s gift, Our hope to what is […]
I was humbled to be invited by Susan Hofer to offer the following sermon and reflection at Larry’s funeral on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at St. Peter’s Church. Lewes, DE. The readings were Isa. 61:1-6, Psalm 23, Rev. 21:2-7, and John 14:1-7. The obituary is below the sermon. Surely your […]
What stood will stand, though all be fallen,The good return that time has stolen.Though creatures groan in misery,Their flesh prefigures libertyTo end travail and bring to birth‘Their new perfection in new earth.At word of that enliveningLet the trees of the woods all singAnd every field rejoice, let praiseRise up out […]
This is an entry in the “Acrostic Contemplations.” “Grace, she takes the blame She covers the shame Removes the stain It could be her name” I was sitting in a meeting of the university deans with the president and the provost presiding. We were discussing language for a new campaign, considering what slogan […]