"A person exists to be the agent of creative goodness. When we thus create goodness we are both ourselves raised from the dead and also the agents to others of resurrection.”1 My memory of the resurrection of the dead cannot be separated from paintings I saw as a child. Whole families were climbing out of their graves together. They were dressed like they were going to … [Read more...] about After Easter
“THE PEARL, THE CELLO, THE ICEBERG”
“There is nothing in this world or the next, absolutely nothing, which cannot, and will not, be turned into the valid currency we need to buy the one pearl of great price.[1] I’ve always agreed with Joni Mitchell when she sings, “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?” We’re getting plenty of practice at seeing what is gone. We’ve … [Read more...] about “THE PEARL, THE CELLO, THE ICEBERG”
FOR LOVE’S SAKE SET US FREE
“The Lord’s true love is surely not spent, nor has his compassion failed; they are new every morning . . .”[1] I had not spent much time in the Book of Lamentations. Until now, I had not needed it. I went looking there, however, because I was lamenting. I was lamenting the sacking of the Capitol of the United States by a mob, set aflame by an embittered and delusional … [Read more...] about FOR LOVE’S SAKE SET US FREE
IN PRAISE OF USELESS BEAUTY
“…Once you have been touched deeply by beauty, in a lily or a human face, it is difficult to resist engaging the kind of justice that clears the way for more beauty in the world.”[1] There is a tension in our lives between two poles: Mission and Beauty, imperative and invitation. Sometimes we take to the streets, sometimes we gaze in wonder. We carry the water of mission … [Read more...] about IN PRAISE OF USELESS BEAUTY
LOOKING FOR A BETTER GOD
Tell me, in the name of your mercies, you, Master, who are my God, what you are to me. Say to my soul, ‘I myself am your rescue.’ Say it in such a way that I hear it.” [1] Consider the God you have been brought up to believe. If you are honest with yourself, isn’t this God a larger version of yourself or of someone else you admire or a vague cloud of attributes and … [Read more...] about LOOKING FOR A BETTER GOD