What is in the meaning of a poem? That question has perhaps never had more import than it does now, as we struggle to grasp both the genesis and meaning of our nation’s identity. Emma Lazarus’ 1883 sonnet “The New Colossus” has been a topic of debate in the last week, after the president imposed … Continue reading Has the American colossus fallen? That’s up to us.
The last teaching from the cross
A reflection for the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin As I prepared for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Mary, the Theotokos, I considered several readings on which to focus. The most natural for me, and the one verse I think most beautifully and succinctly captures the strength, faith, courage and importance … Continue reading The last teaching from the cross
Know your breast density
New law, new technology aim to improve breast cancer detection Enid, Okla. -- One in eight American women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, according to American Cancer Society (ACS). Almost 42,000 American women are expected to die of breast cancer this year, according to ACS, making it the second-leading cause of cancer deaths … Continue reading Know your breast density
Let Christ do the doing
Anamnesis -- A walk into the Real Presence of Christ The most rewarding part of my week usually is when I take the Eucharist to nursing home residents. A chance to pray together, to worship, reflect on Scripture and administer the Sacrament of Unction (anointing with oil) -- this service as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor … Continue reading Let Christ do the doing
Going into the deep
A primer on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius As I mentioned in my last post, our aspirancy group in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma is using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius to prepare us for the spiritual journey toward possible ordination. I had read about the Ignatian Exercises, and more specifically, the Examen, … Continue reading Going into the deep
Forging instruments of peace, one heart at a time
It’s been almost a week since two mass shootings claimed the lives of at least 31 people. In a country that, thus far in 2019, averages more than one mass shooting per day, these latest incidents have raised, yet again, the question of how, or if, we will stem the tide of violence and bloodshed … Continue reading Forging instruments of peace, one heart at a time
Be the child
A first crack at the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius A couple of posts back I reflected on Luke 10:21, when Jesus praises the "Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious … Continue reading Be the child
And so it begins — Aspirancy to Holy Orders
Today starts a new journey for me, and I humbly ask for your prayers as I begin it. This path goes back more than two years, to a lunch I had with our priest and my spiritual director, Fr. John Toles, from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, in Enid, Okla. I had been visiting with Fr. … Continue reading And so it begins — Aspirancy to Holy Orders
Serving with the strength of infants
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Luke 10:21 NRSV The first time I held my daughter, I … Continue reading Serving with the strength of infants
White privilege curriculum goes international
Regional faith leaders in Oklahoma and Kansas have been working for more than three years to foster community conversations around white privilege, and how it plays into issues of racial justice in America. Now, that work is crossing international borders, with a United Church of Christ minister taking the training program to Germany. The Rev. … Continue reading White privilege curriculum goes international
