The church needs to be both in and of the emerging transmedia technologies, while presenting its own ancient-future-now vision. Read more
The church needs to be both in and of the emerging transmedia technologies, while presenting its own ancient-future-now vision. Read more
Reflections on Ronald Rolheiser’s new book Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity There are many spiritual pathways for the many seasons of our lives, for our personal contexts, gender and sexual orientation, and personality types. A personal God has a personal relationship with every creature. God’s center is everywhere and focuses on each moment of experience and each person’s life journey. Our lives are truly a holy adventure with spiritual surprises around every turn. In an... Read more
Lectionary Reflections Third Sunday in Lent March 23, 2014 Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 Romans 5:1-11 John 4:5-42 (4:5-15, 27-38) We all need living waters. We need spiritual and relational resources that refresh and transform our lives. God is willing to give us what we need for spiritual transformation in challenging times; we need to open the doors to God’s care, trusting that God will supply our greatest needs. There are no absolute guarantees of external success or a cure for... Read more
The Celts were adventurers. They sailed off into unknown lands, sometimes sailing without a rudder, trusting that God would bring them to their place of resurrection, their place of wholeness and vocation. Each day was seen as adventure, filled with danger and possibility. So, Celtic travelers often drew a circle around themselves as they began each journey. The circle (or “caim”) reminded them that they were always encircled by God’s care. In the spirit of Psalm 139, they trusted that... Read more
Lectionary Reflections for the Second Sunday in Lent March 16, 2014 Genesis 12:1-9 (RCL, Genesis 12:1-4a) Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5 John 3:1-13, 16-17 (RCL, John 3:1-17) Sometimes the Revised Common Lectionary gives readings that are too brief to cover the theme. Other times, the Revised Common Lectionary suggests readings that cover too much ground or raise too many questions to be helpful. In today’s case, I expand the First Testament reading from Genesis 12:1-4a to Genesis 12:1-9 to include Abram... Read more
Lectionary Reflections for the First Sunday in Lent March 9, 2014 Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 (preferred reading, Genesis 2:15-3:7) Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 We begin our Journey into Lent with the affirmation that God’s grace is greater than our sin. The story of Adam and Eve, the primordial legend of humankind’s evolution, begins with relationship and creativity and ends with ambiguity and uncertain adventure. Still, they grow in spite of, and perhaps because of, leaving the garden. The passage... Read more
Baby boomers are discovering their mortality. Over the past year, several of my friends have been diagnosed with life-threatening cancers. One of my closest friends, with whom I have journeyed and grown for over forty years, recently died brain cancer. Just a week ago, my mother-in-law passed away at 96. I have led seven memorial services in seven months at my new congregation, South Congregational Church (UCC) in Centerville, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. As a pastor, relative, and friend, I... Read more
A little over six years ago, my son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I was devastated and initially feared for his life. My wife and I dropped everything and returned to Washington DC to accompany him and his wife of just three months while he was in the hospital receiving his first round of chemotherapy. I am a disciplined praying person: I meditate every morning and take a prayer walk of about an hour after my morning... Read more
Lectionary Reflections on Transfiguration Sunday Sunday, March 2, 2014 Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 99 or Psalm 2 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9, 14-21 Experiencing the glory of God transforms everything. The energy of the Big Bang streams forth from Jesus. Moses is enveloped in divine light. Divine energy and the power of God are not neutral: a theophany, the appearing of God to human beings, and axiology, reflection on value and ethics, are interconnected. The dazzling light of God reveals God’s... Read more
Lectionary Reflections Seventh Sunday after Epiphany February 23, 2014 Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33-40 I Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 Today’s readings invite us to consider the nature of divine – and human – holiness and perfection. As persons and communities, we are called to lives of stature and wholeness, embodying in our day-to-day lives and actions God’s own quest for wholeness. Those who claim to be God’s people – the Hebraic nation and the church – are challenged to... Read more
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