Developed in the 14th century, the word “dwell” became known as a “lingering” or “abiding.” It had connections to “In-habit” – another word developed at that time. After an Advent/Christmas season of focusing on housing the holy, how will we linger and abide in this habit of hospitality? What habits did you invite into your […]
The Inn is now open for business. The long-awaited Messiah has been born and on him the light shines. We have only to open the doors of our lives and to say “welcome.” Our Advent journey has led us to this moment when the light shining through a closed door becomes one opened to new […]
This has been an Advent season of prophets: Jeremiah, Baruch, Isaiah, Micah. And now the prophet is Mary – the woman who was the original house for the holy. (The Greek word is theotokos or “God-bearer.”) She was “the inn,” her womb gestating love for the world. With all her heart, she proclaims that the […]
We may not consider grief as anything that is holy, but Jesus’ life and ministry witness to the holiness of God – and the grace that God offers in our full humanity. Jesus came to be with us in our full humanity, including our grief, and we can offer it honestly to God. Today’s service […]
As John baptized new converts, he invited them to live with “changed hearts and lives.” When asked how to do that, his answers all point to making sure no one is cheated or left without the basic necessities of life, including the right to not be harassed. A full life of joy, which the prophet […]
Like the childhood game of “musical chairs,” we are convinced that there are not enough places at the table. And so, we shrink the guest list just in case there is not enough, and we scramble to occupy the chairs first. And yet our sacred texts invite us to imagine and make real the gathering […]
We usually associate fasting with Lent, but the Eastern Church observes a “Nativity Fast” in preparation for the birth of Christ, understanding fasting as a way to “make more room” for the Holy and shift our focus to care of the neighbor. In a time when so many are suffering the economic consequences of the […]