Psalm 25:3-8 | Numbers 24:2-7,15-17a | Matthew 21:23-27 Writing this blog has caused me to engage in a lot of reflection on the past year and to try to discern what our current pandemic experience and polarized politics means – to me, my community and my country. I...

For the past four decades Advent came to represent the times in my life when I could do little more than helplessly hope for and await rescue from my Christ moments. As my spiritual guides explained at the time, these are the moments when we experience the death like...

Well, one thing is for sure: I’m consistent. Each year at this time, I am drawn to the concept of the light coming after the darkness. Perhaps paradoxically, I embrace the darkness, the coziness that comes from it, the inward reflection it inspires, but only because...

I decided to look up the Bible verses for today’s blog in my old family Bible. It has been in my bookcase for years and it just seemed to call to me. When I opened it up, I discovered a handwritten note that said my grandfather had given it to my grandmother in 1955....

Psalm 145:1-4,8-13 | Isaiah 41:13-20 | Matthew 11:7-15I love Advent. Sure it's the run-up to Christmas, sure it has some lovely symbolism, like the Advent wreath and the Advent calendars and candles. But I love it because it is dramatic. Before we get the serenity of...

Psalm 103:1-10 | Isaiah 40:25-31 | Matthew 11:28-30 In today’s lessons from Hebrew scripture, we read of God’s power and strength; a God who forgives our sins, heals our sickness, redeems us from the pit of despair and even provides vindication for the oppressed. Both...

This time of year I am often blessed with the problem of finding gifts for “people who have everything”. How to find a gift that says “you’re special”, for a mother scaling back her possessions, or a friend who has never known hesitation with the American Express...

I hope that writing what the Advent season means to me is a good start. At first I didn't really know what it was about but since learning about it from Father Tim I have a better understanding. It is about having hope and faith in difficult times especially now that...

Three things struck me in today’s readings. The multitude of world changing, life altering events The references to being “a voice in the wilderness” God’s call to tend to God’s people   But this was about Jesus’ coming, right? What does it mean for me? He...

The day’s psalm and reading from Isaiah are remarkable in that both are downright uplifting – plenty of blessings and thanksgivings, a rare Old Testament exacta. Which, actually, ties to my weekday lap-swimming routine (Thank God for the YMCA). To avoid just counting...