As a kid, the Maundy Thursday service was always one of my favourites of the year. I was fascinated by the symbolism of the foot washing ceremony and always deeply moved by the stripping of the altar (and entire worship space) at the end of the service. But now that I’m in a season of … Continue reading A New Commandment (Just like the Old): A Reflection for Maundy Thursday 2025
Today is Palm Sunday, the day when we transition from Lent into Holy Week. Symbolically speaking, after forty days in the wilderness, we have arrived at Jerusalem and ready ourselves to accompany Jesus on the last days of his earthly life. The day also has apocalyptic signification, since, as we remember Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into … Continue reading Rolling Out the Red Carpet: A Reflection for Palm Sunday 2025
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]
Matthew Root 