Contemplating Grace

Spiritual Nonviolence Active nonviolence calls us…to recognize that what I resent, and perhaps even detest, in another, comes from my difficulty in admitting that this same reality lives also in me…[1] Excerpt from “The Decalogue for a Spirituality of Nonviolence” This week I resume the series I began in June 2022 titled Guns, Mental Illness, … Continue reading Spiritual Nonviolence

Two Christianities You have heard it said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies… Matthew 5:43-44 I believe there are two distinct versions of Christianity. Of course there are thousands of denominational variations within the Christian church, each nuancing the church’s message, purpose, and practices … Continue reading Two Christianities

The Aftermas We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time.[1] T.S. Eliot The word Christmas means the celebration of the birth of the Christ, with mas meaning celebration. Thus, the (probably-not-in-any-dictionary) word Aftermas means the … Continue reading The Aftermas

Advent and Darkness The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 Our world manifests from darkness. The opening lines of the Bible’s first creation story read, “…the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep…”[1] All new life emerges from under the protective … Continue reading Advent and Darkness

Advent and Liminality, Part 3 …Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word… Luke 1:38 Over the past weeks I have described Advent as a time of liminality, meaning a season that invites us into transformational growth and change. Our preparations for the celebration of Jesus’s … Continue reading Advent and Liminality, Part 3