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)
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen today. He is risen for us. He is risen in the midst of sickness. He is risen in the midst of grief. He is risen in the midst of isolation. He is risen in the midst of political polarization. He is risen in the midst of societal disruption … Continue reading Surprised by Life: A Reflection on Easter
Today we grieve. Today we wail, scream, pound our fists and rend our garments. Today we sit in silence and let the tears flow. Today we make dinner and sweep the floor. Today we grieve. Yesterday's drama — conspiracies of convenience, trials before kangaroo courts, crowds screaming for the other guy to be released in … Continue reading Today, We Grieve (A Reflection on Holy Saturday)
Well, friends, here we stand, at the foot of the cross. The crisis between the authorities and Jesus, between might and right, has been resolved, with the way of goodness, truth, honesty and love, crushed once again. As it too often seems to be in our world. There is still hope, of course. The sign … Continue reading Act of Death, Act of Life: A Reflection on Good Friday
The Holy Week tradition that is the most meaningful for me is the stripping of the altar and sanctuary of the church at the end of the liturgy on Maundy* Thursday. As the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and Psalm 22 are read, anything that can be carried out of the worship … Continue reading Stripped Bare: A Reflection on Maundy Thursday
Matthew Root 