Peace and Comfort
I like the way the gospel of John talks about the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ farewell to his disciples (John 14-17), he talks about a Spirit – a Comforter – that will come to bring peace to the disciples after his death. I like how Jesus knows that his departure will be disruptive. I like Jesus’ acknowledgement that death leaves us reeling. John 14:27 recalls Jesus’ words in this way: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not...
read moreQuiet Crash
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston writes about the protagonist Janie Crawford’s relationships with her three husbands and how they reveal her evolving relationship with herself. During an argument with her second husband, Janie realizes that “something fell off the shelf inside of [her].” That wasn’t the end of the relationship, but it was, in hindsight when she knew it was over. I’ve often used this phrase when talking with my friends about the breaking-up of interpersonal relationships. There are, I opine...
read morefunerals for the living
I recently sat at dinner with a group of seminarians talking about whether or not theological education prepares student-ministers for the everyday tasks of ministry. At this particular time, we spoke about how classes in liturgy prepare seminarians to conduct some of the key rituals of our trade: weddings and funerals. Weddings are fun, we all agreed. Funerals are quite difficult. There’s a part of planning funerals that isn’t so complicated. Scriptures, sacred readings, hymns, obituary. Sitting with the grieving friends and...
read morewaiting
When I first finished divinity school, I subscribed to a journal of Christian spirituality called Weavings. That was when I first heard of the concept of “active waiting.” Often associated with the liturgical seasons of Lent and Advent, “active waiting” describes the way in which believers wait for a great spiritual event. In the Christian tradition, this spiritual event is often associated with Jesus: waiting for Jesus’ birth; waiting for the second coming of Christ; waiting for the crucifixion and resurrection; waiting for...
read morebreaking bread
The disciples get a bad rap for not recognizing Jesus. I’ve heard sermons about how we should not be like Thomas – we should not doubt (John 20:24-29). We should not need physical evidence. I’ve heard sermons about how we should not be like those men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). They could not see Jesus when he was in their midst. They didn’t believe the Scriptures would be fulfilled. These are examples of doubt. We should be pillars of faith. Few people understand that doubt is a part of faith. I don’t...
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