dialogue around the sacred words we use when speaking of the mystery we call GOD
My husband and I just returned from Hawaii, celebrating twenty-five years of marriage. We’re in a new season now that our girls are growing up — a reacquainting, really. Learning each other again. Given the relentless pace of raising three daughters, caring for aging parents, and working full-time jobs, our time together has run low... Continue Reading →
As Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber often says, preaching is a spoken act and so much of the meaning comes in the hearing of it. If you would like to hear/watch this piece, here is the link: https://www.christchurchgp.org/media/347pgvz/sermon-1-18-26 I come from a long line of serious treasure hunters – my family loves to thrift shop and many... Continue Reading →
In today’s Gospel Luke 20:27-38 we hear the Sadducees use a widow—one of the most vulnerable people in their society—as a prop in their theological game. They construct an absurd scenario around her suffering (being widowed seven times) to try and trip Jesus up and make the whole idea of resurrection look foolish. They didn’t actually... Continue Reading →
The disciples are afraid, huddled in a locked room together struggling to understand what has happened. Their emotions are likely all over the place. Some no doubt were completely overwhelmed with anxiety over being associated with a criminal - wondering if they walk out that door if they too will be arrested…accused…tortured…without any due process.... Continue Reading →
I had the great honor of preaching at Eucharist yesterday at my church, Christ Church Grosse Pointe Episcopal (click here for a link to listen to the sermon rather than read it). The gospel reading is on the Transfiguration and can be found in Luke 9:28-43. https://youtu.be/eNVBgSvLOvs For those who may need captions, here is... Continue Reading →
John the Baptist. This “in-your-face” “call em’ as you see em’” prophet dressed in a ragged camel hair, smelling of bug breath and the poverty of desert discipleship isn’t exactly the cozy Christmas character we might expect at this time of year. And though he is always a main character in our readings during the... Continue Reading →
Faith Formation PreK-7th grade here at Christ the Redeemer is rooted in the contemplative, Montessori-based style of spiritual development called The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS). CLICK HERE to view some photos of our atria spaces. Below is a short 3-minute video that gives an overview of our program too: https://youtu.be/0Uw0Gu3iIao CGS uses Montessori... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/9YJZMYu0NQE More years ago then I care to mention, I remember picking up my youngest daughter from preschool on a beautiful fall day and I arrived a few minutes early, during their end-of-the-day outdoor recess, so I decided to just sit in the sun and watch her and her friends play for a bit. In... Continue Reading →
To view a video reflection on The Parable of the Dishonest Steward, click HERE (the video is different than the text below. Text is longer). Most scholars agree that the parables are the most authentic and original words of Jesus found in our sacred scriptures. Parables not only brilliantly elucidate WHAT Jesus taught, but also... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/9Uk-XathtjE Video Reflection There is a spin off-on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector that has been around for quite a while. The Catholic version has a priest and a deacon kneeling around the altar praying together. The priest says ” Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.” The deacon prays “Lord,... Continue Reading →
A few years ago, my best friend in the whole world got engaged and started planning her wedding. Although she and many of her family members had moved away from Michigan, she still considered this area her home. And St. John Fisher, where I used to work and where our now 20-year friendship began, she... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/MIPfHSlF6AI Video/Audio of text... We know this story. (Luke 10:25-37) It’s about two religious leaders who, in the name of the law, see someone in unimaginable suffering, but decide to steer clear and cross the street instead of attending to the person’s extraordinary need. We know the context. The Jewish people detested the Samaritans and vise-versa,... Continue Reading →
Discernment is the practice of distinguishing the voice of God from among the many different voices that vie for our attention, such as the expectations of others, cultural pressures, or even our own inner critic. The root word for “discern” means to “cut away.” So, discernment is the art of sorting through all these voices and our own... Continue Reading →
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy_rXu5_SjY Part of my work at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Lake Orion is working with our children, many from the Oxford school district in Michigan. We have this beautiful little room in the back called the atrium, with soft lighting and comfy pillows, in which we introduce our ancient prayer of the mass,... Continue Reading →
As World War II was drawing to a close, allied forces gathered up all the hungry orphans they could find and gave them a safe place to be. Each child was given a comfortable bed, clean clothes and plenty to eat…they were well cared for, some for the first time in their young lives. But,... Continue Reading →
If you would rather listen than read, just below is an audio recording, or a video is a little further below: https://soundcloud.com/user-165947833-151164563/indignance?si=c934c144691c45adb6d22f70bece2aaa Our Gospel reading from this past weekend (Mark 10:2-16) says that Jesus was “indignant.” I always thought that one became indignant when insulted, like when someone wounds your pride, but I was mistaken.... Continue Reading →
From time to time we all experience big events in our lives that change things...that change everything. We might call them “Before and After” events. They are the experiences that we refer to like “Before we had children” or “After Mom died." "Before the car" accident or "After graduation." When I was a little kid... Continue Reading →
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