Some wounds do not heal. When I was a journalist, I remember sitting with the mother whose son’s remains had only recently returned from the war in Iraq. I listened to her grieve as she told the story of how her son unexpectedly came to join the military, how she feared for him, how she found out about his fate. I listened to her weep. Later, I listened to her recount her family’s bittersweet meeting with then-President George W. Bush... Read more
Last week, I posted an essay on Protesting Holy Week. A lot of people read it. A lot more than usual. Some folks loved it. Some folks hated it. Some folks were in-between. Some folks lived it. And are living it today. So, I thought I’d take a moment, first to say thanks to everyone who read, shared, debated and thought about the essay. And secondly, to highlight all those folks who shared with me how they were protesting Holy... Read more
In the midst of his crucifixion, Jesus looks down and forgives his torturers, his crucifiers, his executioners. Jesus, in the midst of the unimaginable and intolerable injustice, musters the courage to forgive the unforgivable. It is a moment, at least according to how traditional Christianity teaches it, of overwhelming mercy and unfathomable forgiveness. Except, that’s not exactly how it happens, is it? Jesus, in fact, doesn’t forgive his captors. He doesn’t forgive his executioners. He doesn’t forgive his killers. He... Read more
It’s Easter. Do not be afraid to doubt. Doubt boldly. Doubt joyfully. In fact, these are important, faithful and beautiful responses to the Paschal mystery, as author Rachel Held Evans demonstrated last week. Indeed, in the gospels, doubt and disbelief are important to the Easter experience, and Jesus does not condemn his disciples for them. So, if we want to experience the resurrection, I suggest that we not simply celebrate it or find joy and hope in it. We... Read more
Just a quick disclaimer: The following poem includes rather strong language. Something I think goes well with Easter. For Lent I gave up swearing … well almost. A Homily for Easter by David R. Henson Goddamn evil Goddamn abuse Goddamn injustice, slavery and rape. Goddamn racism Goddamn war Goddamn that strange fruit of bigotry and hate Goddamn suffering Goddamn hunger Goddamn indifference, apathy and waste Goddamn noose Goddamn death Goddamn despair, depression, the wait Goddamn Good Friday And a Goddamn... Read more
1. Attend a public demonstration protesting oppression in honor of Palm Sunday and the “triumphal entry.” Stand for justice for Trayvon Martin . Stand for immigration justice, racial justice, environmental justice. And if you don’t know what those are, Palm Sunday is the day on the Christian calendar to find out. 2. Read The Last Week by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan and delve into the rich depth and complexity of the week set against its historical and sociocultural... Read more
Throughout Lent, I will be posting short meditations on the Daily Office readings. Please journey and pray with me through these readings. To read previous Lenten meditations click here. Monday, March 5 I Corinthians 4:1 Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Servants are orderly things. Mysteries are not. A servant follows directions and follows in footsteps to find the straight and narrow path, tidily swept clean of the inconsistent, the incomprehensible... Read more
Throughout Lent, I will be posting short meditations on the Daily Office readings every day. Please journey and pray with me through these readings. To read previous Lenten meditations click here. Thursday, March 1 Mark 2:1-12 “And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.” All the paralytic could see were the straining faces... Read more
Throughout Lent, I will be posting short meditations on the Daily Office readings every day. Please journey and pray with me through these readings. To read previous Lenten meditations click here. Wednesday, February 29 Genesis 37 “Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.” Honestly, how can you blame Joseph’s brothers? Joseph, at least as a child, was a prick. He was spoiled and flaunted his blessings as if he... Read more
Throughout Lent, I will be posting short meditations on the Daily Office readings every day. Please journey and pray with me through these readings. To read previous Lenten meditations click here. Tuesday, February 28 Mark 1:14-45 The Christian church triumphs in proclaiming Jesus the Son of God, the Messiah and the Holy One. We shout it from the rooftops, plaster it on bumper stickers and tattoo it on our bodies. And we mistake that proclamation with the good news of... Read more
Edges of Faith
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