Teddy Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” The quote has come to mind this week in an unexpected way because I have watched the way comparison is used to deflect or derail a discussion. One says, “We need to close the detention camps,” and another replies, “Obama built them.” One says, “We...
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I feel stuck today. I have work to do, manuscripts to edit filled with words by authors who have done their best to make meaning out of faith and life in these days, and I feel like I am treading molasses, doing all I can to keep from drowning. Toni Morrison died yesterday. She...
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tell the others on a hillside of tombs only one stone was moved life surrounded by death which is how it feels this morning with news of “coordinated bombings” (should that be a phrase) christ is risen, yes and we are dying both things are true we have to live with that we have...
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between noon and three I sit quietly I waited for words but they chose to be quiet what is there to say? Peace, Milton
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I get it. I understand why the disciples couldn’t do it. Think of what they had already been through. First, Judas left after a confrontation with Jesus that made it pretty clear the rest of the evening was not going to be a celebration. Jesus followed by offering bread and wine as both meal...
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I was looking for a poem to post the other day and found one titled “There, there, grieving.” I remember a friend whose father died many years before mine recalling a trip to a mall soon after his funeral where she was overwhelmed by the fact that everyone was acting like it was a...
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bearings as soon as the fires went out we started looking for hope among the ruins sharing the same picture over and over of the cross beaming in the rubble I read that the towers were still standing that the organ had not been destroyed heard promise after promise of rebuilding even as the...
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Earlier this afternoon I received this e-mail message from our church office: Dear Church family, We have been made aware of a family of four (mother, father, and twin boys age 7) who lost everything in a fire. Below is a list of what is needed for them to rebuild their household. Linens: Twin...
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When I sat down tonight to write, what came to mind are songs that capture the emotions of the week ahead, which are not easy feelings. Part of the challenge every year for me is not to rush to Easter but to take the loss and grief seriously. Here, then, is my soundtrack, which...
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notes from the road we drove through a fog this morning so thick we couldn’t see New Haven from the highway though we could see the road in front of us at least far enough to keep moving on hold that thought The particles of light in sky and sea that look blue on...
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