In a separate social media post regarding sources of hope and support within Church history for LGBTQ+ people, I was pointed by a commenter to Romans 1:26-27 as proof that, no matter how much we may wish it otherwise, homosexual relationships are categorically forbidden, with no exception or distinction given to committed, monogamous same-sex relationships … Continue reading “But what about Romans 1?” Unraveling a clobber passage
What is a Christian?
What does it mean to be a Follower of Christ — a pilgrim on The Way? For the last 16 centuries or so, the answer to that question has been codified into creeds, sacraments, doctrine and dogma. Sacraments (outward and tangible signs of an inward and spiritual grace — we say there are at least … Continue reading What is a Christian?
What is the point of miracles?
Last Sunday we saw Peter and John cure a crippled man on their way to Temple, and we talked about their faith, their hearts, being "tuned" right to channel the Holy Spirit in that miracle. Today, we pick back up with Peter and John in Acts, and with all the apostles in the Gospel reading, … Continue reading What is the point of miracles?
Let us encounter Christ in Love
Daily Readings for 4/20/2022, Wednesday of the Octave of Easter (from the USCCB lectionary) Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John were going up to the temple areafor the three o’clock hour of prayer.And a man crippled from birth was carriedand placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every dayto beg for alms … Continue reading Let us encounter Christ in Love
Universal Salvation: The promise of Holy Saturday
A scriptural review of Universal Salvation In the rush of Holy Week there is one day which is predominantly overlooked, and yet is central to the early Christian understanding of salvation: Holy Saturday. This day, falling between the grim remembrance of Good Friday and the joyous celebration of Easter, is a day of both mourning … Continue reading Universal Salvation: The promise of Holy Saturday
Bringing Judas to the table
In today's Gospel reading we have the account of the Last Supper, and of Jesus foretelling his betrayal by Judas Iscariot. From Matthew 26:14-25: One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,went to the chief priests and said,“What are you willing to give meif I hand him over to you?”They paid him thirty pieces … Continue reading Bringing Judas to the table
You are seen
A response to the Enid Library Board's ban on LGBTQ+ affirming book displays It is not the place of the Church to wedge itself into the middle of every public debate. But there is a clear and unavoidable exception. When public policy seeks to marginalize, oppress, segregate, or harm a group of God's children, the … Continue reading You are seen
Be Raphael. Be Love. Bring healing.
St. Raphael the Archangel In today's Gospel reading, from John 5:1-16, Jesus heals a man who has been sick for 38 years, and in so doing starts his enemies down the path of conspiracy to have him killed. Jesus heals. God saves. Huzzah. That is the Good News. But, as with each of the healing … Continue reading Be Raphael. Be Love. Bring healing.
The great heresy of supremacist theology
Embed from Getty Images How do you justify evil? You make it sound really, really good. I’m not just talking about your garden variety spin-doctoring. I’m talking about taking the most vile evil, and clothing it in the appearance of a good that is beyond reproach. This has been the art of powerful, white men … Continue reading The great heresy of supremacist theology
Eternal? Damnation
Written July 31, 2021, On the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola "May the perfect grace and eternal love of Christ our Lord be our never-failing protection and help." ~St. Ignatius of Loyola On Universalism A Defense of the universal and redeeming grace of Christ Abstract This work is undertaken to defend the orthodox teaching … Continue reading Eternal? Damnation
Let us not be silent: A response to pastoral attacks on God’s LGBTQ+ children
What is the dividing line between gracious silence and comfortable cowardice? At what point must our Christian duty to fight the evils of injustice and oppression outweigh our sincere desire to live in peaceful accord with our neighbor? When does truly biblical love look more like protest than amicable silence? I have been wrestling with … Continue reading Let us not be silent: A response to pastoral attacks on God’s LGBTQ+ children
The congruent messages of Memorial Day and the Visitation of Mary
Today is both Memorial Day and the Feast of the Visitation. I write this both as a veteran who has lost friends in training and in combat, and as a seminarian who struggles to reconcile both my own past and our nation's present with the Gospel teachings of the Prince of Peace. The coincidence of … Continue reading The congruent messages of Memorial Day and the Visitation of Mary
What do we expect of the babe in the manger?
It is Christmas Day. The great day for which we have been waiting. But, what, exactly, is the subject of our waiting? In secular terms, the answer is obvious and exciting. The lights, the tree, the presents, family (even if afar, in this year of pandemic), and the food. I love it all. But, what … Continue reading What do we expect of the babe in the manger?
Advent — a time of preparation, a time of penitence
Our King is coming. Now, how should we prepare our house? This is the central question of Advent. How must we order our lives, our work, our communities, our faith and our society, in order to be pleasing to the King of kings? Historically, this period of preparation and reflection looked much different from the … Continue reading Advent — a time of preparation, a time of penitence