Sometimes I pray for God to intervene in specific, tangible ways. Today, I find myself praying that the President and his advisors find the patience of Job to lead us out of the Middle East quagmire, and that there is a genuine change of heart regarding the bombing of civilian targets. While I suspect these…
What Happens After Easter?
What do you do after Easter? Whether you had a totally compliant Lenten season or you “fell off the wagon” once or twice, you rightfully ask: what happens next? For a small few, a mission has emerged. Through Lenten service, sacrifice, and study, you have developed a clarity of purpose that God is calling you…
Holy Saturday — Finding Faith In The Silence
Congratulations, you have completed another Lenten season—the fast is over, and the lights of the vigil are flickering in the distance. But as we stand on the threshold of celebration, doesn’t something feel strikingly heavy about Holy Saturday? In our modern calendar, we often treat this day as a mere “waiting room” for the Resurrection.…
Good Friday: Reflections On A Misnomer
My good friend John wrote recently. He wanted to know—or perhaps he looked forward to me explaining—exactly why we call today “Good” Friday. On the surface, it’s a branding disaster. We are, after all, commemorating a crucifixion. Usually, when we describe a day involving state-sponsored execution, “good” isn’t the first adjective that leaps to mind.…
Maundy Thursday
At first glance, the word “Maundy” carries a heavy, almost somber weight, the kind that makes you want to hang your head in reflection. But the word’s true roots are far from depressing. It is derived from the Latin mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “commandment.” On this day, the mandate isn’t to walk around with our…