Gladly (Philippians 2:1-11)

If the eternal nature of God is love and if Jesus came to reveal that self-giving love to the world, God can never be the author of vengeance, violence, or the arrogant use of brutal power. The schizoid Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde Jesus is not found in the New Testament and certainly not in the example and words of Jesus. The perpetuation of this distorted vision of Jesus is one reason so many people in our post-modern world have rejected the church. They know better than to embrace such a contradictory image of God. Continue reading

The Prayer of St. Francis (“Lord Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace”)

Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) has captured the hearts and minds of millions of people over the centuries. He certainly is one of my favorite saints. Through the insights of such brilliant Franciscan theologians as Richard Rohr, Francis’ life, teachings, and example have impacted countless persons of all faiths.  As a… Continue reading

Mark 12: 29-31 “Love as Equal Regard”

We all know that justice without love can become self-righteous and just plain mean. Jesus frequently condemned such mean self-righteousness and warned those guilty of such arrogance that they may be shocked at the “justice” they may receive from a loving and holy God. Continue reading

What Keeps Us from Wonder?

(15 minutes) Wonder is the reason we seek to know any reality whatsoever. (Nicholas of Cusa) Nicholas of Cusa (1400-1464 CE) was a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church who served in Greece. Because of the prominence of the Greek Eastern Orthodox Church in that part of the world, Nicholas… Continue reading

Romans 8:26-30 “When the Spirit Prays

Are there times when you do not know how or what to pray? Times when the fear and uncertainty of your life knock the breath out of you so that words simply cannot come? Times when the complexity of existence leaves your head spinning and your stomach churning and you… Continue reading

Some Musings About Karma and Grace

(This short article is intended for five groups: Christians who are prone to limit God’s grace to those who believe exactly as they do; Christians whose predominant images of God are punitive and judgmental in nature; Christians who are confused regarding the nature of grace; non-Christians who mistakenly assume the… Continue reading

Love and Justice

After four years of a national nightmare, at noon on January 20, 2021, most of the United States (as well as most of the world) can breathe a collective sigh of relief. We can look forward to our eyes, ears, hearts, and very souls no longer being assaulted on a daily, if not hourly basis, by a constant barrage of lies. Continue reading

Deut. 8:1-10 “Starting Over One More Time”

New Years is traditionally seen as a time for resolutions, new beginnings, and reevaluation. In short, it can be a time for orientation, and Deuteronomy is a book well suited for honing our orientation in life.  To appreciate this important part of the Jewish tradition, we must recognize its proposed… Continue reading