“For as long as humans have walked, they have walked to get closer to their gods.” The words appear on top of a PBS website in white upon a black background—an over-simplified truth, smacking with arrogant certitude. At least that’s the way it feels to me when I stare at the screen just a fewContinue reading “I Walked into Suffering on the Road to Santiago”
Tag Archives: humanity
One life together
As of the writing of this reflection, Witness Against Torture, The New York Catholic Worker, and Voices for Creative Nonviolence, among others, are in the midst of a week-long fast for the victims of the recent airstrikes and ongoing besiegement of Yemen. There we see, once again, one of the poorest countries of the worldContinue reading “One life together”
Peace shouldn’t be a privilege
It’s International Day of Peace! This day is also known as Peace One Day. This is a day for us to unite as citizens of Earth, as children of God, and act in ways that help create peace. It’s a day of cease fire and reaching out with humanitarian aide. It’s a day to pause, to pray,Continue reading “Peace shouldn’t be a privilege”
The story in the world’s heart
There is an ancient story that is our common heartbeat. It speaks to us, deeply, quietly and simply; its whispers are heard in the rhythms of our ordinary lives, in between the rushing activity of our regular days. As we move together and alone, the power of this ancient story is known andContinue reading “The story in the world’s heart”
3 tunes for a good God-filled day
Good morning! Let’s turn our eyes to God as we start this day! Here’s a good song to get you pumped up for the blessing of another day: Here’s a song to ponder the fact that you are miracle, that you are one of many imperfect people: And, finally, we know that living the GospelContinue reading “3 tunes for a good God-filled day”
The frailty of my faith (or, How losing my daughter in the park gave me a glimpse of my own hypocrisy)
I only took my eyes off of her for a few seconds … It’s so cliché, but so damn true. This summer was an unusually sweltering one in the Pacific Northwest, and our local splash park offered a welcome reprieve from the relentless heat. Facing yet another 90+ degree day in mid-August, I brought myContinue reading “The frailty of my faith (or, How losing my daughter in the park gave me a glimpse of my own hypocrisy)”
When Jesus asked for food (or, how I realized Easter is an ordinary thing)
Sometimes the Easter story is just plain unbelievable to me. Doubts invade my prayer and distract me from the whole point of the story— of the entire core of my faith. Questions multiply in my mind exponentially. Why did some people recognize Jesus while others didn’t? Why is the Easter story so different in each Gospel? HowContinue reading “When Jesus asked for food (or, how I realized Easter is an ordinary thing)”
Ashy Remembering
Black falls off my fingers. A dark coat of Truth covers me, my hands, all dirty. I am Too messy for this: the sacred Marking of penitents processing. Skin rubs skin, black in between Ash smeared upon holy, oily faces. The stream keeps moving. I am like a rock slowing the flow with redirecting, grounding. I proclaim:Continue reading “Ashy Remembering”
ugly body
orange over me upon still solemn sidewalk silent under black My breathing quickens. the truth is too tight: innocent men are confined tortured to death human-inflected trauma in the name of national security The cells of my eyes water what my heart holds. my love, Jesus, tortured by thorns, nails, cross laments stab while questionsContinue reading “ugly body”
Holy Relating in the Facebook-Era
I watched The Social Network last night, mainly because I was curious. Similarly, I joined Facebook five years ago, shortly after it started and around the same time that I entered my community, because I was curious. Curiosity is usually what causes me to conform, even if I have mixed feelings or I am notContinue reading “Holy Relating in the Facebook-Era”