*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Donald Newbury- “That each new indignity defeats only the body.” Donald Newbury knew that the indignity of execution could only defeat the body. For Newbury, the soul is always free for those who allow it to be. No matter the indignity of your circumstance, have you unchained your soul? I invite you to pray the last words of Donald Newbury: “That each... Read more
*I originally wrote this piece for the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Forest, Jim. Loving Our Enemies: Reflections on the Hardest Commandment. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2014. Lucifer got jealous of the boss. Haven’t we all made this kind of mistake before? God kicked his ass out of heaven and never let him come back. Ever since Lucifer got banished, he has been raging all over the earth. Every time God tries to get something good going, Lucifer tries to... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Robert Ladd- “Let’s ride.” We stop. We are afraid. We don’t want to move an inch. Danger is a paralyzing force. In the face of certain death, Robert Ladd looked danger in the eye and shrugged. If we place our trust in God, we too can have such confidence. Staring down whatever danger you face, I invite you to pray the... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Arnold Prieto- “There are no endings, only beginnings.” For Jesus, the ending was just the beginning. For Arnold Prieto, the ending was just the beginning. What about for you? I invite you to pray the last words of Arnold Prieto: “There are no endings, only beginnings.” Amen. Read more
*Adapted from a sermon preached at Pilgrims in the Park in Bryan, Texas on March 22, 2015. The Pharisees caught a man and woman fucking. Under the religious law of the time, fucking outside of marriage was a capital offense. So the Pharisees brought the woman and slung her in the dirt at the feet of Jesus. Notice, I said the woman. Where in the fuck was the man? The Pharisees were a bunch of pampered religious leaders... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Miguel Angel Paredes: “I hope you let go of all of the hate because of all my actions.” How do you pray for those who hate you with good reason? When we name hate we probably make the hater hate us more. Yet, how can we not name hate for what it is. If we have been freed, how can we let... Read more
*I delivered this keynote address at the LGBTQ Religious Experience Summit at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas on March 21, 2015. May this be a wild experience for us all…perhaps even a queer experience if we are lucky. Let’s begin by talking about theology. What is theology? Most people think that theology is primarily about doctrines and dogmas. Folks, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Theology is an exploration and adventure in being. Learning to be. Theology... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Lisa Coleman- “Tell them I finished strong.” Life is about finishing strong. Do not let the failures and disappointments distract you. You are capable, but you must stay committed. Despite her circumstances, Lisa Coleman stayed committed and finished strong. I pray that we will follow her lead. With thoughts about how you want to finish, I invite you to pray the last... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Willie Trottie- “Find it in your hearts to forgive me.” People are desperate for forgiveness. Who do we think we are to deny them? In Matthew 6:14, Jesus taught that those who forgive will be forgiven. When Willie Trottie was about to die, he asked for people to find it in their hearts to forgive him. Who would deny a dying man... Read more
*These reflections are taken from pieces of the last words of the last 40 persons executed in Texas. Jose Villegas- “I am at peace.” In a world of violence and fear, we work so hard for peace. Unfortunately, I think that peace is far more about being and trusting than it is working. Jose Villegas understood that lesson. In his final moments, Villegas wanted the world to know that he was at peace. After you stop working, I invite you... Read more
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