We've had a rather apocalyptic beginning to 2020, with vast wildfires sweeping through the fertile parts of Australia. Our screens have been filled with images of men and women standing amidst the remains of their homes, images that are becoming all too common across the world (California, Oregon, BC, Alberta, northern Ontario, Greece, Spain, Australia, … Continue reading From Under the Rubble
Today, Christians celebrate the great feast of Epiphany — the celebration of God's light shining into the world in the life of Jesus. In Western practice, the feast commemorates the visitation of the Magi — the Greek word generally referred to Zoroastrian priests versed in astrology — to the child Jesus. I can't help but … Continue reading A Feast of Confounded Expectations
“Behold, now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation, a divine, new and eternal day, not measured in hours, never lengthening or shortening, uninterrupted by night. For us it is the day of the Sun of righteousness, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning!” These words are from the introduction … Continue reading Jars of Clay (A Reflection on the Transfiguration)
The great promise of Christianity is that a fundamental change has come into the world. The “normal” ways of the world, whether conceived of as sin or fate or the writing of the stars or the law of karma, have been overturned. We can now opt out of the power of these forces and be … Continue reading A Spirit of Freedom (A Reflection for Pentecost 2019)
Here we are at the end of Lent. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the day when the Church remembers Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem where he is hailed by the masses as their champion and king. In my liturgical tradition, the same day is also called Passion Sunday, and the story of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trials, … Continue reading Fear and Loathing in Jerusalem (A reflection on John 11.45-57)
Matthew Root 