On this day 61 years ago, my paternal grandmother died. I always think of her on this day, but wish I could remember more about her. I had just turned four a week and a half before she died, so my memories are vague at best. My older cousins have always spoken fondly of her. […]
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Today is the feast day of St Agnes, an early martyr. Hers is the name I took as my Confirmation name about 55 years ago. As a third grader, I was impressed how a girl not much older than I was had the courage to stand up for her faith. I was impressed with her
Today in Luke’s Gospel https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010722.cfm a leper comes to Jesus. Luke tells us that the leper is “full of leprosy”. I think of leprosy as a sort of rot. The un-named leper (un-named so insert yourself into the story) is rotten to the core. Still a request for healing is made. Does that mean that
Reflections on 1-6-21 I am still in shock. What I saw that day made my blood run cold. To think that so called Americans would storm the Capitol Building looking to kill representative so as to stop the certification of a free and fair election, is beyond understanding. That the thing occupying the Oval Office
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We’ve not had much winter weather so far this season. Not that I like the cold, it’s just that it feels wrong. Today the morning temperature was in the upper teens with a few flakes of snow falling. Walking to church to count collection (not my favorite bit of volunteering) was actually nice. Somehow, January
Friday December 31, 2021 Jesse Tree- Angels Psalm 96: 1-2 Out last Jesse Tree symbol is angels. The Psalmist tells us to sing a new song to the Lord. The refrain is “Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.” A new song was sung by the angels on Christmas: “Glory to God!” And down
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Thursday December 30, 2021 Jesse Tree- Magi Psalm 96:8b-9 and Luke 2:36-40 The Jesse Tree addition is a symbol of the Magi. As the Psalmist commands us to do, they bring gifts and tremble before the Lord. The Gospel from Luke tells of a prophetess, Anna, who is overjoyed at seeing the child Jesus at the
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Wednesday December 29, 2021 Jesse Tree-Doves Luke 2:22-35 Our Gospel today recounts the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Our Jesse Tree symbol is the two doves given by Joseph and Mary to sacrifice. At the temple, a man named Simeon proclaims that the light has come to Israel. He goes on to say that Jesus
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Tuesday December 28, 2021 Jesse Tree- Innocents 1 John 1:5-2:2 Today we remember the Holy Innocents and hang their ornament on the Jesse Tree. John’s letter admonishes us that if we “talk the talk, we must walk the walk.” If we claim to care for the unborn (the innocents), then we must care for them once
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Monday December 27, 2021 Jesse Tree-Shepherds John 20:1a, 2-8 In her wisdom, the church gives us a resurrection story today. Mary Magdalene ran to tell Simon Peter that the tomb was empty. Our Jesse Tree ornament is the shepherds. They ran to Bethlehem at the behest of angels to see the newborn king. Upon arrival, they
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