Earth Month Series Water Reflection There has always been an intimate relationship between human beings and water. Life began in the waters and, sacred water is used in rites and ceremonies at the heart of many religions. In nature, water is beautiful, refreshing and calming; yet, its power can be frightening and destructive. Its moods react to the moon…
We remember that Bonnie lived her 96 years as an example to each and every person she met that love is an action – and the practice of giving ourselves to others is the truest way to honor God. We acknowledge and honor the life Bonnie lived. It was a life filled with fun, joy, relationships, love of family – particularly her…
Reflection Israel’s religious leaders had one goal: to get rid of Jesus of Nazareth. If this meant cooperating with lifelong enemies, the means were justified. The Pharisees, the Herodians and the Sadducees joined forces to discredit Jesus. His authority was questioned. “By what authority do you do these things?” Jesus did not remain silent. He replied to their questions. As…
Reflection One very prominent theme in Mark’s gospel is the theme of failed discipleship. The Apostles failed to accept their destiny to remain alongside Jesus. Like those early apostles, we would like to avoid these implications of discipleship. We would like the conclusion of holy week to be about the interior rather than the exterior, about the future rather than…
Palm Sunday Reflection Hosanna is a unique word in Aramaic. It is a shout of praise, but literally means “save (or help), I pray.” It is a phrase that would have been familiar to the Jews as a part of their worship practices. This cry is familiar to us now, in a time in which we are even more aware…
Reflection In the present political climate in our country where some public figures tend to flout their Christianity while denigrating the faiths of others it is worth remembering what it means to be a Christian. To be a Christian is to be reflective of the love of Christ. Jesus made it clear that his followers were to be compassionate and…
Reflection The light of truth in Jesus is a blinding one: It is not enough to regret evil, he shows us. We must do something, each of us, to denounce it, to deter it so that tomorrow’s dawn may be a brighter one for us all. If the question is, What’s the light of Lent here? The answer is a…
Reflection As we mature spiritually, we realize that prayer involves a wrestling with our concept of God. The comfortable God of our beginnings has been replaced by a Holy Mystery that stretches our souls. With our present insights into the nature of the universe, to say the old familiar words ”God is everywhere” has a new meaning. To say God…
Today is the first day of Earth Month. This year, rather than planning events and festivals, we are dealing with a pandemic caused by an invisible virus that threatens life. Yet, there has been another threat to life that has become more visible year by year. It is climate change. As we continue to deal with the immediate threat, we…
Reflection March this year has been an incredibly difficult month. At a time when we are used to celebrating the rebirth of Springtime, we have been faced with daily bulletins of sickness and death. We have all suffered loss in one way or another. Reflecting on this, columnist David Brooks wrote a very thoughtful article in the New York Times…