“Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18.15-20) If you prefer… Continue reading Two or Three Together
Not Getting in the Way
“Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,’God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.’ He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.’ Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wishes… Continue reading Not Getting in the Way
The Unasked Question
“Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” (Matthew 16.13-20) If… Continue reading The Unasked Question
Grandma’s Snack Bar
I spent a good part of my childhood at my grandma’s snack bar, a long, rectangular tabletop that my uncle had designed for her when he built her house in 1954, this bar separating the kitchen from the dining area. Instead of the table, my grandma and I always ate at her snack bar, where… Continue reading Grandma’s Snack Bar
Mansfield Park
August is the cruelest of months. Of course, I borrow from T.S. Eliot, who claimed April was the cruelest of months, a claim I can’t possibly understand, unless he didn’t like the idea of hope. As I recall, he made the statement in his poem, “The Wasteland,” the title itself suggesting he didn't hold much… Continue reading Mansfield Park
Somos Personas
“At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.’”… Continue reading Somos Personas
As My Daughter Leaves for College
In a few days, you will empty your bedroom of the things you like and you will move into a college room, filling it with some of the things from your old room, but we both know this move is more than just moving from one room into another room. You will walk out the… Continue reading As My Daughter Leaves for College
Holding on for Dear Life
“When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost,’ they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.’” (Matthew 14.26-27) If you would prefer listening to an audio version of the text, please click… Continue reading Holding on for Dear Life
A Gut Feeling
“When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, ‘This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.’” (Matthew… Continue reading A Gut Feeling
Pearls in Particular Places
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds… Continue reading Pearls in Particular Places
Sunday Brunch 