Today is Ash Wednesday, whose ceremonies mark the start of Lent in Western Christianity. Most years my focus in these posts is on the rite itself, which carries a wealth of symbolism. So if you’d like a reflection on the imposition of ashes, please see here, here, and here. But this year, I’m going to … Continue reading Servants of God: A Reflection of Ash Wednesday 2025
Longtime readers will know that I love the story of the Transfiguration. I come by it honestly, since I studied the theology of light for my Master’s thesis back in the day, a tradition in which this story which seems strange to many becomes a blueprint for Christian spirituality. But the thing about peak religious … Continue reading Up the Mountain and Down Again: A Reflection on Luke 9.28-43
[Good morning everyone! I have out of town company this week, so today I'll be sharing my reflection from the last time this Gospel reading was featured in our Sunday lectionary. It's Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount, and considering that not a month ago a Christian bishop was widely criticized by people … Continue reading Blessed Are You Poor (in Spirit?): A Reflection on Luke 6.17-26 [Repost]
When I was in my late teens, and was at the peak of my interest in the charismatic movement, I had an experience of being ‘slain in the Spirit.’ While I don’t know what to make of that experience looking back, still there’s nothing quite like being pinned to the floor for a half hour … Continue reading Divine Glory and Human Weakness: A Reflection on Isaiah 6.1-8
One of the big questions in any religious or philosophical tradition is ‘What does a good (or holy) life look like?’ Often there are two poles, which we might call the ‘purity’ pole, where goodness is judged by adherence to rules and strictness of behaviour, and the ‘celebration’ pole, where goodness is judged instead on … Continue reading Of Water and Wine (And Joy!): A Reflection on John 2.1-11
Matthew Root 