The complex doctrine of Holy Trinity can be described in many ways. Perhaps the best is … “it’s complicated.” Having been married for nearly 29 years, I’ve never been on a dating app or used any own social media to meet people. But I know of many happy couples who did meet that way, so I assume that if I were young and single, I’d probably also entrust the algorithms of relationship to produce reasonable dating options worthy of a... Read more
Recent guidance by the APA and the U.S. Surgeon General makes it clear that social media has the potential for significant negative impacts, especially for adolescents. As people of faith, what can we do? In the early years of Facebook, I was a big fan. “Does anybody know a good plumber?” I had eight helpful suggestions with useful reviews from people I trust within minutes. “Is pet insurance worth the cost?” I had detailed analyses of the pros and cons... Read more
What if Pentecost is less about the descent of the Holy Spirit from outside of us and more about the ascent of the Sacred Breath within us? The rise of yoga, meditation, and other mindfulness strategies in the West has taught us that the thing we take most for granted is the very stuff of miracles. The most ordinary part of our human experience – one we usually aren’t even conscious is happening – is actually a superpower that makes... Read more
Yesterday’s gospel reading begs the question: if Jesus ascended into heaven over 2,000 years ago, where is he now? I’m currently reading the latest edition of a fantastic book, Forming Intentional Disciples, by Sherry A. Weddell. The author talks about hearing three different homilies three weeks in a row by three excellent priests in three different parishes. In each one, the priest used the phrase, “when Jesus was on earth.” The author found that perplexing because such language assumes that... Read more
The gospel readings from Easter to the Ascension depict Jesus saying goodbye to his disciples. And so much more. One of the beautiful things about working in a high school is that we get to celebrate the natural beginnings and endings that a school year provides. In August each year, we all get new school supplies, class schedules, hopes, and goals. And every year in May, we get to experience a sense of closure and the satisfaction that comes with... Read more
The gospel for the Sixth Sunday of Easter provides confirmation of the radical organizational chart in the employee handbook for Christianity, Inc. I have been teaching confirmation preparation classes to eighth graders in my parish over the last eight months. I’ve learned a few things. First, 25 eighth-grade boys and girls together in one room are . . . a lot. Second, they are both delightful and annoying, often at the same moment. And third, they can wolf down snacks... Read more
May the 4th might be the most interesting non-holiday holiday on the calendar! It’s the National Day of Prayer, and thanks to a recent survey on the topic, it’s clear that prayer is part of every day of the year for most Americans. The results are in! City Square Associates conducted a national survey from April 6-17 of American adults ages 18-64 across all demographic categories, and the results are pretty compelling. While society may appear to be growing more... Read more
The fourth Sunday in Easter opens the door to what it means to have the fullness of life. In other words, it’s the GOAT on the gate. My best friend from college has lived in lots of different places. Her bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees were earned in a geographically diverse array of U.S. cities. Each one involved numerous apartment leases, moving companies, change-of-address forms, and questionable roommates. After marriage, she and her husband lived on the west coast for... Read more
Jesus said that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” are blessed in the Beatitudes, but there’s an epidemic of spiritual malnutrition today that’s anything but holy. I came across a sad news story today. Twenty-one people in Kenya have died of starvation. The Good News International Church leader there, Paul Makenzie Nthenge, instructed the members to starve themselves to meet Jesus. I feel sadness at the senseless loss of life and anger at this person’s cruel abuse of power... Read more
Today’s gospel readings culminate in what may be the most frequently quoted line in the entire New Testament. “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life (John 3:16). Growing up, I loved watching Atlanta Braves baseball. During the early 80s, the Turner Broadcasting System brought the boys of summer into my parents’ living room regularly. My mother thought Dale Murphy hung the... Read more
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