In honor of her canonization by the Roman Catholic Church, I am re-posting this because it includes the wisdom of Saint Theresa of Kolkata. Words matter. I realized this early on, so that when I was still in elementary school, if somebody asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was “a poet.” I can’t say I have actually developed … Continue reading Second Person Singular
I was staying in my hometown for a two-day retreat, and decided to do what we often do when we go home: visit the place. There is a wildlife sanctuary called Union Slough near the little town of Titonka. I had never explored it when it was only a few miles from the acreage where my father served a country church. With an afternoon of … Continue reading Sanctuaries
August is worth looking forward to every year, if only for the fresh tomatoes. I grow a couple of plants in my garden, but I have to go to the farmer’s market if I want to get enough to make a marinara sauce. At least I can harvest enough of those beauties to feed my most recent summer addiction: bacon/basil/tomato sandwiches. Someone put me onto … Continue reading Relax. Have a Tomato.
Photo: Indielou Dougnon, right, is a director for The Luke Society in the Kayes region of Mali. He travels to villages and hamlets to do vaccinations and pre/post-natal care and evangelism, in addition to the urgent care conducted at his clinic in Aite. (This piece was originally written for the blog for The Luke Society.) The wonderful journal of Christian spirituality, Weavings, is discontinuing its … Continue reading Sustaining Compassion
Sometimes we wonder why there has to be pain. What is the point of discomfort or outright agony? Yet pain performs a function that is critical to life. It is a signal, telling us that something is wrong. Pain is like a gauge that warns us, tells us to take care of ourselves. Either you are not functioning properly, or there is a threat from … Continue reading Pain and Curiosity
We were babysitting our two young grandchildren while their parents went to a wedding. Rydia, 3 ½, was recovering from a little stomach bug and maximizing the rare privilege of watching endless cartoons. Link was his usual energetic toddler self, alternating between pestering his sister, begging to be held, and investigating the kitchen drawers. I tried to get Link to eat something during the supper … Continue reading Bread
“Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Lk 7.49b-50) It is no secret that congregations are being torn asunder these days by issues. Politics, sexuality, perceptions about race are among the hot buttons. It is no wonder that many outside the church want nothing to do with us. Nevertheless we are … Continue reading Elephantine Grace
As I approached my departure from parish ministry, people were curious. They asked me what I will do next. It seemed easiest to tell them that I was taking a couple of months’ sabbatical, a break from ministry before determining my next steps. I didn’t tell them that what I was feeling God calling me to a wilderness time, and I figured the next steps … Continue reading A Question in the Wilderness
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of … Continue reading Changing Out of My Pastor Clothes
Once I stayed overnight in Omaha, Nebraska, because my flight got in late, and I don’t trust myself to drive the three-hour trip home when I am tired. I decided to take my morning walk over the nearby Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that connects Omaha with Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is a graceful structure that spans the muddy Missouri River as it meanders past the … Continue reading Baptismal River on Trinity Sunday
saint sinner seeker 