Original art by Brian C. Jocks Four thoughts on this Sunday’s lectionary: ON THE PRESENCE OF GOD When I doubt God’s presence in the world or in my life, I can always find him, there, in the cacophony of my doubt. When I suspect that prayer is superstitious, when I am almost certain that I’m just too weak and fucked up to live without this idea of “God,” when my faith is an oppressive family heirloom, when my belief thickens... Read more
I’ve decided it must be possible to find out what death feels like. Read more
(Spoilers Ahead) A few nights ago, I returned from dropping off my kids and decided I didn’t want to go home right away. It’s always a bit lonely after they leave for their mom’s place. The house is a bit too empty and quiet. I decided dinner and a good movie would help me ease into being kidless for the next two weeks. I decided to see Wind River, an indie film which has earned a significant amount of buzz... Read more
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not... Read more
Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what does not satisfy? Read more
There are only faint traces of Hurricane Harvey outside my window: Repetitive rainfall. Darkness uncommon for late August in Louisiana. Hurricanes are commonplace around here, but I know full well that Southern Louisiana is untouched compared to the devastation the storm has wrought upon Texas. (For example, here I am on the internet.) O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed Your order and returned to its former quietude.... Read more
Camp Innisfree was “up north,” as people from Michigan’s lower peninsula called anything north of Mount Pleasant, on the Leelanau peninsula jutting out like the pinky finger on the right hand of everyone who tries to show you where they live in the state. The fourth, fifth, and sixth graders of my small private elementary school camped here every spring—real camping in tents, the only running water in a lavatory cabin about a quarter mile away. We were encouraged... Read more
Sixty years ago, C.S. Lewis began his book, Mere Christianity by giving us an example of two people disagreeing and trying to put each other in “the wrong.” His argument, of course, is that we all have a sense that right and wrong are realities, even if we aren’t always very good at defining them. Lately, that argument has escalated into “He is evil. She is evil. They are evil. Everyone is evil but me.” This toxicity has made me... Read more
“ I still remember the first time I read The Chronicles of Narnia, about 10 years ago, and encountered the following passage: “He’ll be coming and going” he had said. “One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down–and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.” One might say... Read more
… a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying,... Read more
Sick Pilgrim
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