ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 3, 2022Today is the anniversary of the first successful human heart transplant. On this day in 1967, a South African surgeon by the name of Christiaan Barnard successfully transplanted a new heart into Louis Washkansky who regained consciousness and lived for 18 days. I know 18 days doesn’t sound like much, and it sure is nothing compared to what is happening today. With that said, it
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 2, 2022As I continue to ponder the Season of Advent, I turn to Barbara Brown Taylor, who wrote, “It is a helpful reminder to all who fear the dark. Darkness does not come from a different place than light; it is not presided over by a different God. The long nights of Advent and the while it was still dark on the early morning of Easter
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