Created to Be a Joy
The prophet Isaiah puts these words in the mouth of God: “For I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and its people to be a delight.” God would have felt the same when we were created—and everyone else was created. Yes, God made the person who annoys us a joy. God made the ones who […]
What Paralyzes Us?
The prophet Hosea asks, “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah?” Hosea seems exasperated with the people’s reluctance to do more, to change their ways, to trust more in God, and, above all, to love more. Sacrifice is good, but there’s something more. Burnt offerings are good, but […]
Spring into Spring Cleaning
On any day of the year I can find dust or spots to clean, so why do I wait for spring cleaning? It must be the sunshine that gets me in the mood, yet it’s the sunshine that reveals the most dust motes. I’d save time cleaning if I waited for a dark day. Yet […]
Meatless Mondays or Wordle-less Wednesdays
Right around Ash Wednesday my youngest sister introduced me to Wordle. Because she plays it daily, I thought I would join her. After all, it’s a sisterly thing to do and a great way to keep in touch. She’s quite good at it, but she doesn’t brag. Instead, she sends an “innocuous” sentence that has […]
The Season for Oxymorons
Oxymorons are fun. Who has not been “clearly misunderstood”? Who has not tasted something “awfully good”? Matching oxymorons with Lent may be “true fiction.” But let me remind you that the most significant oxymoron, the one on which we base our faith and our eternal salvation is “life-giving death.” The Paschal Mystery—Christ’s death and resurrection—is […]
