Today’s meditation reflects on the second of the Last Seven Words of Jesus. All seven passages are from the Gospels, and they often serve as the focus of the church’s prayers on Good Friday. Given the length of each mediation, I have chosen to offer one a day, ending on Good Friday. This is the second of eight meditations. I had not focused on it before, but the biblical commentaries on this passage are appallingly thin and equally... Read more
Today’s meditation reflects on the first of the Last Seven Words of Jesus. All seven passages are from the Gospels, and they often serve as the focus of the church’s prayers on Good Friday. Given the length of each mediation, I have chosen to offer one a day, ending on Good Friday. This is the second of eight meditations. In Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film, “Unforgiven,” gunfighter William Munny is drawn out of retirement a final time.[i] Munny is... Read more
Beginning today, I will be offering eight meditations on what are often described as the Last Words of Jesus. Today’s meditation provides an introduction. The remaining seven focus on each of the seven “words”. All seven passages are from the Gospels, and they often serve as the focus of the church’s prayers on Good Friday. Given the length of each mediation, I have chosen to offer one a day, ending on Good Friday. I can remember as... Read more
Today, for at least the second time in the last month, the President of the United States has speculated in public about the fortunes of the Ukrainian people. In response to a question about the possibility that Russia might use chemical weapons, the President responded: “The nature of the response would be based upon the nature of the use.” The President indulged in this kind of speculation the first time when the issue of incursion (read invasion) was in play:... Read more
13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived... Read more
The phrase, “Never Again”, which is applied to the Holocaust in specific and genocide in particular, is probably too primal to have a specific origin. But some attribute it to the epic poem, “Masada”, by Isaac Lamdan, written in 1927, a portion of which reads: Who are you that come, stepping heavy in silence? –The remnant. Alone I remained on the day of great slaughter. Alone, of father and mother, sisters and brothers. Saved in an empty cask... Read more
A recent article by Yascha Mounk lays bare the assumptions that have shape his generation’s view of history in general and western diplomacy, in particular, toward China and Russia: Things are getting better. There is an arc to history and it bends toward justice. The exceptions to that rule are just that: exceptions, anomalies, the lingering product of old impulses. On the whole, everyone, everywhere shares in our conviction that our “common humanity” (which one assumes entails the rights of... Read more
4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the... Read more
Loving and merciful God, on this night in Ukraine, where the hatred and malice of a tyrant manifests itself in explosions, flying glass, the sound of rockets, and the report of gunfire, we pray that you would protect his victims, speed aid to the defenseless, and strengthen those who seek to defend them. Give voice to the leaders of their nation. Give them the courage needed to stand by people. Move the nations of the world to act in their... Read more
Gracious and loving God, watch over the people of Ukraine. Sustain their leaders, protect her people, frustrate the efforts of her oppressors. Give the leaders and people of our countries courage and a capacity for sacrifice in their defense. And strengthen the world in its resolve to name and resist tyranny wherever it may be found. In the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, reign one God, now and forever. Amen... Read more
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