Demonstrator faces Israeli soldier in occupied West Bank, 2012 (Wikimedia Commons). With the self-examination and repentance of the High Holy Days coming up fast, Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin wrote a column for Religion News Service that touched me deeply. Using a Yiddish expression that's too nuanced to translate easily, he suggests the hard-right settlers in Israel's … Continue reading ‘A shame for the nations’: What can a spiritual mutt make of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement as the Gaza war grinds on
Spiritual journal, Dec. 2024 (with a footnote on why I still find Pete Hegseth’s ‘crusader’ tattoos so embarrassing)
Muslim women visit St. Saviour's Church, Jerusalem, 2023 (Custodia Terræ Sanctæ).1 Lightly edited copy of an email I sent to my spiritual director today in advance of our session for December, archived here so I can go back later and see what I was thinking about when I posted it. Plus a bonus footnote in … Continue reading Spiritual journal, Dec. 2024 (with a footnote on why I still find Pete Hegseth’s ‘crusader’ tattoos so embarrassing)
Hegseth’s Crusader tattoos: White supremacist dog whistles or ‘spiritual kitsch?’ Or a bit of both?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ZNi-VEmu4 Jerusalem cross on a Franciscan flag, Christian Media Center, Jerusalem. If Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's designee for Secretary of Defense, knows what he's talking about, I'm beginning to worry that I might be wearing an alt-right hate group's insignia around my neck. It's an inexpensive little Jerusalem cross I bought at a gift shop … Continue reading Hegseth’s Crusader tattoos: White supremacist dog whistles or ‘spiritual kitsch?’ Or a bit of both?
An exhasted, cynical wannabe ‘disciple’ finds hope (and marching orders?) in Jesus, Micah and Rabbi Tarfon of 1st-century Yavneh (Sundays@6, journal 3)
Headlines in Times of Israel, Oct. 2, 2024, 6:16am (CDT). The morning headlines couldn't have been much worse. The Middle East is sliding into all-out war, and it looks the US is about to be dragged into it by a president too old and stubborn to realize his policy toward Israel has failed. In the … Continue reading An exhasted, cynical wannabe ‘disciple’ finds hope (and marching orders?) in Jesus, Micah and Rabbi Tarfon of 1st-century Yavneh (Sundays@6, journal 3)
‘A little help from my friends’: A Jesuit spiritual exercise meets a song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C58ttB2-Qg Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends / Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends / Oh, gonna try with a little help from my friends -- John Lennon and Paul McCartney (1967). Full disclosure: This started out as an Ignatian contemplation, in which I intended … Continue reading ‘A little help from my friends’: A Jesuit spiritual exercise meets a song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Let’s see if a bland headline on a story about Christians in Gaza will be anodyne enough for social media
Screen shot, Jordan Times, Aug 12, 2024 (Photo Agence France-Presse). Well, well, well, it looks like I'm on Facebook's naughty list. Here's how I got there. I tried to copy an article in The Jordan Times, an English-language newspaper published in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on the plight of Christians in Gaza. Written by … Continue reading Let’s see if a bland headline on a story about Christians in Gaza will be anodyne enough for social media
Warnock’s inclusive, almost pastoral convention speech calls Democrats to work for peace and justice, to ‘heal the land’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JznC5vZnGOQ&t=597s Sen. Warnock's 'altar call' begins at 12:00 (PBS NewsHour), Aug. 19, 2024. For a long time I've been saying the only thing that can lift us up out of our spiritual crisis in America is the transformative witness of the Black church. We had a vivid foretaste of what that might look like Monday … Continue reading Warnock’s inclusive, almost pastoral convention speech calls Democrats to work for peace and justice, to ‘heal the land’
Sumud, accompaniment and Palestinian resistance — definitions and background for Sundays@6
Wall art, Sumud Story House, Bethlehem (Wikimedia Commons). Editor's (admin's) note. Copy of a handout I put together for Sundays@6, the adult faith formation book study group Debi and I co-facilitate at Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield. I composed it in WordPress so I could easily create hypertext links as I drafted it. In October … Continue reading Sumud, accompaniment and Palestinian resistance — definitions and background for Sundays@6
‘From the river to the sea / we all need therapy’: Notes for a parish book study and spiritual direction, June 2024
Screen shot of newsletter blurb previewing our class. Lightly edited copy of an email I sent to my spiritual director today in advance of our session for June. I’ve been writing these for several years now, primarily in order to help me focus my mind before we talk. It’s not a record or an agenda of … Continue reading ‘From the river to the sea / we all need therapy’: Notes for a parish book study and spiritual direction, June 2024
Notes & quotes — ELCA’s Sumud (Arabic for ‘steadfastness’) initiative
d r a f t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy9cjJcpNiA&t=250s Intro posted April 8 to YouTube. See ELCA website at https://www.elca.org/sumud. Have you heard of Sumud (formerly Peace Not Walls)? Share about this new initiative from the ELCA for justice in Palestine and Israel. Stay connected by LIKING and FOLLOWING us on Facebook (ELCA Sumud) and Instagram (@ELCASumud). xxx … Continue reading Notes & quotes — ELCA’s Sumud (Arabic for ‘steadfastness’) initiative
An aging hippie reflects on student protests, in the 60s and now, and the lessons of Passover in wartime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U75KcMUjMyI 'Seder in the Streets to Stop Arming Israel,' Brooklyn, April 23, 2024. What's an aging hippie to do? Coverage of the student protests over US support of Israel's conduct in Gaza brings back so many memories of the anti-war movement of the 1960s, it ought to come with a trigger warning. Most of the … Continue reading An aging hippie reflects on student protests, in the 60s and now, and the lessons of Passover in wartime
Scary headlines distract from student protesters’ Passover service, message of support for Gaza
Shabbat service Friday at Gaza protest, @TheIndypendent, New York City. Over the weekend as the Passover holiday neared, the headlines blared. "Anti-Israel Protests RAGE At Columbia, Biden CONDEMNS Anti-Semitism on Campus" (The Hill), read one. "Columbia University campus security concerns ahead of Passover," said another (ABC News), in more modulated tones. And a third, "Rabbi … Continue reading Scary headlines distract from student protesters’ Passover service, message of support for Gaza
‘How Firm a Foundation’: Reading the lectio divina with a shape-note folk hymn when a hard rain’s about to fall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQDqufENb0 Sacred Harp singers, Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, Old Chicora, Fla., 2018. According to longstanding custom in the shape-note singing community, the annual Illinois Sacred Harp Convention is held the Saturday before the third Sunday of September. In 2001 that came out to Sept. 15 -- the Saturday after the World Trade Center was destroyed … Continue reading ‘How Firm a Foundation’: Reading the lectio divina with a shape-note folk hymn when a hard rain’s about to fall
‘They offered us as an atonement sacrifice for their own antisemitism’: Easter vigil homily from a Palestinian Lutheran church
https://www.facebook.com/christmaslutheranchurch/videos/383323301295151 https://www.facebook.com/christmaslutheranchurch Easter Sunday was a different -- and unexpectedly rewarding -- experience this year. The livestream from our parish church in Springfield wasn't working, so Debi and I wound up watching the livestreamed video from the Easter communion service at Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. We've worshiped with them before, so it was … Continue reading ‘They offered us as an atonement sacrifice for their own antisemitism’: Easter vigil homily from a Palestinian Lutheran church
‘Sumud’: The political gets personal — and spiritual — with a Lutheran social justice program in Palestine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-_CBFUiWeQ Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNDmVwhz-M36yL2radQv-Ol6p_b5ZnA-Y We're halfway through Lent already, but I'm adding another Lenten meditation to my reading list. It's put out by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in cooperation with its counterpart in Palestine, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. It's called Sumud, an Arabic word that translates as "steadfastness." … Continue reading ‘Sumud’: The political gets personal — and spiritual — with a Lutheran social justice program in Palestine
Sundays@6: ‘Caste,’ apartheid, Jim Crow and military occupation, in the US and the Occupied Territories (week 5)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa6igKc1M9s Christmas Lutheran Church, where Debi and I attended services (al-Jazeera). Lightly edited copy of a blast email Debi and I sent out to members of our congregation, Peace Lutheran Church of Springfield, in advance of the fifth meeting an adult faith formation book study, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. We … Continue reading Sundays@6: ‘Caste,’ apartheid, Jim Crow and military occupation, in the US and the Occupied Territories (week 5)
‘Words of Life’ — emails for first faith formation class on the 10 Commandments, held online due to the pandemic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WppMKwpXsQs&t=9s Editor's (admin's) note: Excerpts from emails sent to participants in a Sunday evening adult faith formation Zoom discussion that Debi and I are co-facilitating at our Lutheran church in Springfield, Illinois. It follows Words of Life: Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today, a book with supplemental material by the Rev. Adam … Continue reading ‘Words of Life’ — emails for first faith formation class on the 10 Commandments, held online due to the pandemic
The historical Jesus and the Christ of faith on a dark and stormy night (Pentecost IV)
Bread and wine for Holy Communion on Galilee tour boat Mark 4 (NRSV): 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm … Continue reading The historical Jesus and the Christ of faith on a dark and stormy night (Pentecost IV)
The parable of the mustard seed, the historical Jesus, the kingdom of God and a couple of kudzu jokes (Pentecost III)
Mustard plants in Galilee (I think the sign says 'no trespassing' in Hebrew) Mark 4 (NSRV). 26 [Jesus] also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of … Continue reading The parable of the mustard seed, the historical Jesus, the kingdom of God and a couple of kudzu jokes (Pentecost III)
Connecting the dots for Lent III on covenants, the destruction of the temple and the Church of the Nativity
Editor's (admin's) Note. Third of ___* Lenten meditations based on lectionary readings on the covenants of Noah, Abraham and Moses. This one riffs on the Ten Commandments and the passage in the Gospel of St. John where Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. 'My father's house' -- Church of the Nativity, … Continue reading Connecting the dots for Lent III on covenants, the destruction of the temple and the Church of the Nativity
Noah’s rainbow sign: Good news for the 53rd Sunday in Lent in a pandemic?
Editor's (admin's) Note. First of ___ Lenten meditations based on lectionary readings on the covenants of Noah, Abraham and Moses. This one riffs on Noah the the sign of the rainbow. Rainbow (at lower right center of picture) outside Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem Genesis 9 [NRSV]: 8 Then God said to Noah and to his … Continue reading Noah’s rainbow sign: Good news for the 53rd Sunday in Lent in a pandemic?
Casting out unclean spirits in the synagogue at Capernaum and on social media today (Epiphany IV)
Byzantine-era synagogue at Capernaum (security lights are a later addition). Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV): 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a … Continue reading Casting out unclean spirits in the synagogue at Capernaum and on social media today (Epiphany IV)
Of faith and trust under a fig tree, East Tennesseans, Galileans and a Swedish-American historical research project
Bethany beyond the Jordan (from Qasr al-Yahud on Israeli side). John 1:43-51 (NRSV). 43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom … Continue reading Of faith and trust under a fig tree, East Tennesseans, Galileans and a Swedish-American historical research project
Back to the future (and the righteousness of the God of Israel) with a Jesuit spiritual exercise for Pentecost XIII
A swing and a miss, and then a clean base hit (imho) with Ignatian contemplation ... Ruins of Roman temple and grotto of Pan at Caesarea Philippi (Wikimedia Commons). What you're about to read is an experiment. Or, to use another metaphor, a test drive. Call it a test-drive in that time-traveling DeLorean made famous … Continue reading Back to the future (and the righteousness of the God of Israel) with a Jesuit spiritual exercise for Pentecost XIII
Plenty to think about on the road to Caesarea Philippi (Pentecost XII)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwlJtc_3Ioo&t=114s Grace Lutheran Church Chancel Choir, Tallahassee, "Built On A Rock the Church Shall Stand" Oct. 30, 2011. P. The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 16th Chapter.C. Glory to you, O Lord.At a climactic point in Jesus’ ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Sonof the living God,” and … Continue reading Plenty to think about on the road to Caesarea Philippi (Pentecost XII)
St. Peter’s fish, a surprisingly tasty meal with a 2,000-year backstory in Galilee
St. Peter's Fish in Galilee restaurant | Photo: איתן טל Etan Tal, Creative Commons. While I was working on this week's post about the miracle of loaves and fishes, I got curious about a delicacy served in restaurants around the Sea of Galilee called St. Peter's fish. It looks absolutely disgusting, but it's delicious. Especially with … Continue reading St. Peter’s fish, a surprisingly tasty meal with a 2,000-year backstory in Galilee
Loaves, fishes and Luther’s concept of the Word as sacrament: How do you do church when you can’t go to church? (Pentecost IX)
Byzantine columns at Church of the Multiplication (Brotvermehrungskirche), Galilee. Matthew 14 (NRSV): ... 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the … Continue reading Loaves, fishes and Luther’s concept of the Word as sacrament: How do you do church when you can’t go to church? (Pentecost IX)
A parable of sowing the word of the kingdom of heaven on YouTube and Facebook (for Pentecost VI)
Sunday service, Peace Lutheran Church, Springfield, Ill., July 12, 2020 (Pentecost VI) Yesterday's lectionary reading, for the sixth Sunday after Pentecost (ordinary time to non-Lutherans), was the the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Which means, if you think about it, watching the service on social media was almost like a parable about a … Continue reading A parable of sowing the word of the kingdom of heaven on YouTube and Facebook (for Pentecost VI)
John the Baptist does a bit of informal media advance for an event on the Jordan River (a meditation for Epiphany II)
Pilgrims at Qasr al-Yahud, traditional site of the baptism of Christ, November 2012. Security fence in river separates Israelis-occupied West Bank (at left) from Jordan. John 1 (NRSV) 29 The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the … Continue reading John the Baptist does a bit of informal media advance for an event on the Jordan River (a meditation for Epiphany II)
The Jesus of history and the Christ of the creeds — a movie-like scenario for Gospel Contemplation
https://hemlandssanger.wordpress.com/2019/06/24/dream/ D R A F T -- I never finished this, but I liked the setup, and I think the exercise (modeled after Ignatian contemplation) helped me get a handle on my personal conception of Jesus Christ. SCENE 1 EXT. RESTAURANT -- LATE MORNING (A picnic table is set up in a pavillion shaded by … Continue reading The Jesus of history and the Christ of the creeds — a movie-like scenario for Gospel Contemplation
‘Incarnation lite’ at the holy places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem?
Copied here from Hemlandssånger, Jan. 1, 2019, with some light editing and compulsive tinkering, because I want to give it more thought and (maybe) write something more about the issues it raises ... Pilgrims from Eastern Europe lighting tapers at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, when I visited in November 2012. A print … Continue reading ‘Incarnation lite’ at the holy places in Jerusalem and Bethlehem?
Ordinary Time 