At the Intersection of Contemplative Practice, Poetic Imagination, and Congregational Ministry
Easter 2, Year B Acts 4:32-35; John 20:19-31 April 8, 2018 Held in Common May our eyes be open to see You-- because we are seen by You. May our ears be open to hear You-- because we are heard by You. May our hearts be open to know You-- because we are known... Continue Reading →
During these final days of Holy Week, I offered this reflection on the Shalem blog, reflecting on the experience of using a mantra as a contemplative practice. Drawing on John Main and Tilden Edwards, I wonder how a mantra can indeed show us the dynamic of how prayer can be a harmonic of love. Click... Continue Reading →
We have a lot of incredible kids here at Grace, and Charlotte Schoening is one of them. She goes by Lottie sometimes, and every time I see her she waves at me and runs over for a quick hug. A couple weeks ago, on Wednesday night at dinner, she came up to me twice to... Continue Reading →
Lent 4, Year B John 3:14-21 March 11, 2018 On Belief and Broccoli & Rice Casserole Sermon # 6 in the Praying Shapes our Lives Series When Lisa and I got married, one of our weddings gifts was this cookbook from my maternal grandmother, who just turned 80. Grandy made note of many of my... Continue Reading →
This is a crucial reflection on how Fr. Thomas describes the five levels of consciousness. It is extraordinarily helpful as we continue reflecting on ways in which we are called to faithfully engage and live in the world today, given the struggles and pressures we face.
Lent II, Year B Mark 8:31-38 February 25, 2018 Cast down the mighty from their thrones (Psst, The Magnificat is talking about all of us) I have vivid memories of being in kindergarten playing with my friends at recess. Our school classrooms were a series of cottages with a playground behind them. Years later,... Continue Reading →
The Gun as Symbol Stuart Higginbotham There is no doubt that this essay will infuriate some. I can think of about ten folks immediately who will not be happy, but I want to write this to help myself process the tensions I feel as a priest in the midst of a grieving,... Continue Reading →
Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year B 2 Kings 2:1-12; Mark 9:2-9 February 11, 2018 The Transfiguration of Blue Hydrangeas “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not…Elisha kept watching and crying out…” (2 Kings)... Continue Reading →
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year B Deut. 18:15-20; Mark 1:21-28 January 28, 2018 Keep Your Distance (My parents actually put me in a beauty pageant when I was five years old. I came in third place. There were three contestants. And I managed to tell the game warden--who was present--that my grandfather had illegally... Continue Reading →
2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Year B I Samuel 3:1-20; John 1:43-51 January 14, 2018 Raising a child is a challenge, isn’t it? I’m thinking about this because we’re celebrating our daughter’s 11th birthday his weekend. My mother and step-dad are here to share with us. We told wonderful stories, and we even went to the... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on a Contemplative Reformation 