ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 1, 2022Today is World AIDS Day, a day to remember all those who have died over the last four decades, to remember those who are living with the disease, and to also promote the ongoing education of society. Though Today is World AIDS Day, a day to remember all those who have died over the last four decades, to remember those who are living with the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 30, 2022Father Richard Rohr, the wonderful Franciscan Friar, offered some challenging words that made me wonderfully uncomfortable. He wrote, It is safe to say that there is confusion about what is needed for life and what is really important for life. The vast majority of American stores seem to be selling wants not needs. What we now call needs were formerly wants, and they have moved
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 29, 2022Why is the season of Advent important? Some people would say it is not. In fact, at numerous times in Christian history, different expressions of Christianity have tossed out practices and seasons of the year for one reason or another. It’s funny how it only takes a generation or two for people to wonder why it was thrown out and whether there was anything important
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 28, 2022Prayer for the Week: We sing together, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” We sing those words, yet we seem unaware of how the failure of peace on this earth is inherently connected to the lack of peace within each of us. O God whose perfect love casts out all fear, anger and violence, we seek to make room
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 27, 2022Thanksgiving leftovers are still available in the refrigerator, yet today is the first Sunday of Advent. Today is the beginning of this amazing four-week journey to Christmas Day. It is not simply about making sure all the gifts are purchased and wrapped well. It is more than checking all the lights on the tree to see if they are brightly shining. It is a time
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 26, 2022In worship tomorrow, we will hear words from the Prophet Isaiah, chapter 40. The powerful proclamation begins with the words: A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” It is a declaration of expectation, a hopeful anticipation of something amazing about to emerge. I am reminded of the Catholic writer
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 25, 2022I am sitting here (Thanksgiving evening) at the dining room table reflecting on the day… not specifically this day, November 24, 2022, but on the whole notion of setting aside a day for gratitude. As I’ve said before, I hope we are stretching the notion of one day of gratitude each year to 365 days of gratitude each year. With that said, there is something
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 24, 2022I jettisoned my Thanksgiving Etching as I read a story yesterday about the mass shooting at a Walmart in Virginia. As I shared the news with my wife, still feeling the pain of the shooting in Colorado Springs, her only words were, “I don’t even know what to do.” I believe the shock and despair leave us emotionally incapacitated and spiritually lost. We stare into
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 23, 2022I have been thinking a lot about consistency, the language we use, and responsibility. I think about the core values I claim to embrace, values I believe are central to what it means for me to be a good human being. The question that comes to mind is in regard to the values I claim and the language I use. Does my language, what I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 22, 2022On this day in 1718, the British Royal Navy attacked a ship whose captain was Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. In that battle, the Pirate Blackbeard was killed. It’s interesting how this man, who caused injury, even death, to many in his attempt to increase his personal wealth, would so quickly become romanticized by the public. According to certain accounts, people began to speak