This week during Spring Break, I donned a bathing suit for the first time in a long time. Such a daring feat took great courage due in part to the fact that I am an Irish-blooded, fair-skinned sun-burning machine and also to the fact that… Read More
Every year, around Easter I get to thinking about the Day of Atonement described in detail in Leviticus 16. The reasons are manifold and obvious as believers are meant to make the rich connections between the elaborate act made by the High Priest to atone… Read More
We refer to this frightful Friday as Good Friday. Good. When I hear good, I think fine, decent, nondescript. As in the generic, catch-all answer I receive from my boys in response to my motherly after-school questions: How was your day? How did your test… Read More
Jesus uttered seven phrases from the Cross. “I thirst” is unique to John’s gospel. As I studied this phrase in the context of John’s particular gospel account, it came alive. John’s gospel was written with a clear two-pronged thesis: to show that Jesus Christ was God… Read More
Being a mother has completely transformed the way I experience Easter. It has very little to do with hiding the eggs and everything to do with imagining Holy Week through Mary’s mind and heart. When my kids stub their toes, I cringe. The relatively few… Read More
A few years ago, when my children were three and two years old, I had the brilliant idea of teaching them the deeper significance of the Passover. I studied the Seder meal, went shopping, printed coloring sheets. The whole shebang. My incredulous husband wondered if… Read More
Every year, as Easter fast approaches and catches me off guard, I attempt to reread George Herbert’s poem The Sacrifice. Every year a different stanza or two grab my heart strings and command my attention; this year was no exception. Two of the Biblical images Herbert… Read More
We have only recent left the stage where the only safe tools for our youngest to touch in the garage/shop are levels and measuring tapes. I imagine that for years in his father’s carpentry shop Jesus, likewise, was only allowed to assist Joseph by grabbing… Read More
Simeon was a story gatherer. As an elderly man, he carried the weight of the stories of his people, both collective and individual. Every time someone came and shared with him his or her story of loss or loneliness, a child born or a child… Read More
While at a birthday party in the country, my youngest son and I found solace from an epic Nerf gun battle in the pen of two precious donkeys. We made fast friends. I never thought I would be the type to wax on and on… Read More
