Text-critical biblical scholars are often occupied with the arduous, sometimes frustratingly tedious task of studying palimpsests (pronounced ‘paləm(p) sest’). Palimpsests are ancient manuscripts/parchments often made from animal hides in which the original writing has been effaced—usually washed off or scraped off—in order to be reused. Traces of earlier writing remain and are visible, but the overall effect…
So many people, resigned to the fact that we can’t go back to pre-pandemic routines, seek to live into a new rhythm post-pandemic. Just a few weeks ago, the New York Times published an article, “Can Spiritual Directors Help?” citing that one gift of meeting with a spiritual director/companion is the opportunity to take a…
What happens to our fragile interior sanctuary when sacred space is violated? Victims of abuse will confirm this: in some sense, they never recover. From the Latin root sacer, the word sacred connotes something that is set apart, consecrated or dedicated in service of the Holy. It is the most fundamental connection we experience as…
At this week’s end, spurred by the presidential inauguration held just two day ago, we may sense a deeper awareness to commit to our personal and communal inaugurations. As we each attune to shifting energies, we offer you this beautiful song and prayer compelling us all to intentionally step forward, reach across personal and communal…
Trees are on my mind these days. This Saturday, we’ll have a Women in Interfaith Dialogue conversation about the trees we’ve known and loved throughout our lives, as well as our spiritual connection with trees personally and within our faith traditions. Then next week (Jan. 25–29) we have a wonderful series of Treasuring Our Trees…
In the midst of seemingly contrasting energies in this country and throughout the world, we may be challenged to know what and how to pray. Nan C. Merrill, Psalm scholar and author of Lumen Christi … Holy Wisdom and Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, encourages prayerful meditation of the challenge to continue to…
“We should not be ashamed of anger. It’s a very good and a very powerful thing that motivates us. But what we need to be ashamed of is the way we abuse it.” —Mahatma Ghandi Yesterday, I happened upon one of those parody songs that have been proliferating on social media since the start of…
In spite of the chaos that unfolds in Washington, D.C., this week, we invite everyone to pray for the country, for leaders, for global citizens and for all of creation. The very first verses of Scripture, Genesis 1:2, inform the three Abrahamic traditions: “The Divine Spirit breathed over the waters of chaos and brought forth…
“Arise in splendor, Jerusalem! Your Light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you!” —Isaiah 60:1 Epiphany (<Gk.epi+phanein, a manifestation, an appearance, a bringing to light) signifies one of the oldest notions of creation from Greek mythology. The primordial god of creation and reproduction in the Orphic cosmogony, Phanes was the progenitor of…
The New Year threshold might feel something like a raucous homecoming after what we have all just lived through in 2020. Perhaps like the Prodigal Father of Luke’s famous parable, known for his outrageous welcome and embrace of the Younger Son who has disgraced himself and his family, enraged his righteous Elder Brother, dishonored his…