On a recent January afternoon I began the long-avoided task of clearing out old files. Specifically, a four-drawer cabinet in the basement that has been the haphazard repository of a zillion pieces of paper for about a zillion years (ok, decades). With a big laundry basket at my feet – our recycling containers were inadequateContinue reading “Papers Purged, Memories Kept”
Author Archives: s.weaver@comcast.net
“But, Wait!”
I am intrigued by the gospel stories that describe the calling of Jesus’ disciples. Mark’s version (1:16-20) is this weekend’s Revised Common Lectionary reading. According to Mark, Jesus has passed the “temptation in the wilderness” test and discovered that John the Baptist has been arrested. In typical Markan fashion, we don’t get details about either.Continue reading ““But, Wait!””
Lessons Learned and Relearned Pandemic 2020
Perhaps it’s too soon for us to be very objective about the year that’s about to pass. Certainly, historians will have much to say in years to come about how we suffered and survived, what forces were at work in the systems and institutions of our time. But I’m a perpetual student, always trying toContinue reading “Lessons Learned and Relearned Pandemic 2020”
It’s Perfect!
Perfectionists have a terrible time buying gifts. At least this one does. I have some truly awesome people in my life – dear family, friends old and new – and the love I feel for them is so deep and wide that sometimes I cry tears of gratitude for them. Seriously. When Christmas comes around,Continue reading “It’s Perfect!”
Slow, Hard Soul Work
We were just leaving my mom’s assisted living residence, waiting for the light to change, when there was a sudden movement at the driver’s window. There was a black woman in very obvious distress, pleading tearfully for help. She needed $14 to take the Greyhound bus back to Wisconsin with her four kids; they hadContinue reading “Slow, Hard Soul Work”
Risen, Indeed!
I love the Bible stories of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. All four gospel writers include them. My favorite is one of Luke’s stories, known to most of us as the Walk to Emmaus. But John’s stories – he has three – delight just as much. Matthew’s narrative jumps pretty quickly from Jesus greeting the two MarysContinue reading “Risen, Indeed!”
Love and Suffering
I’ve been feeling the need to “say something”, to offer up some kind of comfort or wisdom or spiritual perspective about this pandemic we’re living through. And I’m trying to. But there is so much I am simply unwilling to say. I refuse to offer up shallow pep talks and trite adages. There are noContinue reading “Love and Suffering”
Transfiguration: Did you even hear what God said?
If you heard a really inspiring Transfiguration Sunday sermon, or, my dear pastor friends, you preached what seemed like a helpful, grace-filled message that day, good on you! I always thought the Transfiguration was a challenge for preaching. The whole scene- glorious, wonderful as it is – is heavily weighted with Old Testament themes. MosesContinue reading “Transfiguration: Did you even hear what God said?”
Tending the Bookends
One was born in 1921; the other in 2011. Ninety years separate them, almost to the day. The elder is my mom; the younger, my granddaughter. Old and young, they enclose the living generations of my family. Bookends, so to speak. Mom’s in an assisted living facility now; I visit often. Sometimes there are tasksContinue reading “Tending the Bookends”
