Living and Teaching Stories Rooted in the Mission of God
As I read this reflection on St. Nick in the Common Prayer liturgy the other day, I was stirred at the contrast between the selfless generosity of this saint and the consumerist wish lists we now associate to the modern Santa Claus. While, there is almost no chance Jesus was born in December and Christmas as …
Continue reading “The Real Santa Claus and a Homeless Jesus”
Hebron is known as one of the most volatile cities in the whole region of Israel/Palestine. Located in the heart of the West Bank, both Jews and Arabs have had roots here for thousands of years. Having endured years of conflict, racism, violence and separation, Hebron’s inhabitants have been covered in a narrative lacking an …
Continue reading “When All of Abraham’s Children Share a Table: A Moment I’ll Never Forget”
I wasn’t sure what to expect as we pulled into the parking lot of a local Sikh Temple (known as a gurudwara) last night, but I assumed it would be culturally enlightening and offer a glimpse into a worldview and religious tradition I have only sparingly engaged. While yesterday was the National Day of Remembrance …
I recently sat with a pastor friend of mine in the Bay Area who is seeking to radically reorient the life of his faith community away from viewing the church as merely a weekly gathering and towards daily life in neighborhood. Strikingly insightful, he said, “I have found that we can live in our neighborhoods …
Continue reading “Following Jesus Calls For Much More Than Going to Church”
I recently stood on the shores of the Sea of Galilee near where Jesus is thought to have spent much of his adult life in Capernaum. The village is right on the water, and the view of the sea is breathtakingly serene. When standing on the shore looking south, the rolling hills of the ancient …
Continue reading “Empire, Jewish Renewal and Jesus’ Invitation”