The resurrection stories in the New Testament are not big, boisterous stories, shouting the news of the resurrection from the rooftops. Instead, they are tentative stories, involving a lot of uncertainty, questioning, fear, and vulnerability. In that way, they're well-suited for our times. For we too are living in a season of uncertainty and fear, … Continue reading When Jesus Shows Up: A Reflection on John 20.19-31
[This Easter Sunday, I was asked to preach at a virtual family church service. Today's reflection is a tidied up version of my speaking notes.] Good morning and good afternoon, everyone. It's wonderful to be able to gather together like this — albeit virtually — to celebrate the biggest feast of the Christian year. At … Continue reading God’s New Thing: A Reflection for Easter 2021
I don't know about you, but this week has been a struggle for me. All of the disappointments and frustrations of this COVIDtide season have been rubbing up against all my baggage, neuroses, internal narratives, and automatic negative thoughts in all of the most unhelpful ways. (It's a great testament to human narcissism how a … Continue reading On the Road
For some reason, the idea of setting the first week of Easter apart as "Bright Week" has grown more important to me over the years. It conjures for me images of open windows, refreshing breezes, singing birds, and leisurely coffees. But most of all, it brings to mind the idea of spaciousness. After all the … Continue reading Holding the Space: A Reflection on Bright Week
Last week, I took a pause from the Lenten series-within-a-series on the mystics in order to focus on keeping Holy Week. While Lent is over, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to linger a bit in the mystics, and particular Julian of Norwich, who made an appearance in my post on Friday, but … Continue reading Everything which is Good (Julian of Norwich and the Big, Beautiful Love of God)
Matthew Root 