After receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses says to the nation: “I set before you blessings and curses, Life and death. Now choose life, so that you and your descendants might live”. (Duet 30) Life emerges (as a blessing) when we as individuals and together in community adhere to the covenant. We do not enter the […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
After receiving the Ten Commandments, Moses says to the nation: “I set before you blessings and curses, Life and death. Now choose life, so that you and your descendants might live”. (Duet 30) Life emerges (as a blessing) when we as individuals and together in community adhere to the covenant. We do not enter the […]
We started English as a Second Language and after school tutoring at that church when a small group of educators wanted to connect with the town’s growing Hispanic community. There was some opposition. One dear saint suggested we check for green cards before offering ESL classes. When I asked if we would be checking everyone’s […]
These are very difficult times. There are so many losses, and the months ahead may test our collective mettle even more. In past holidays, we found Christmas cheer in travel, gathering, singing, and season’s greetings. We trust that will return. Right now we sacrifice together. We offer to ourselves and our neighbors the emotionally expensive […]
The Nativity at our home is like a glorious mix-tape pulling together songs from three Gospel artists. Luke contributes the stable and shepherds; Matthew adds the Magi and the star; John imbues the whole scene with glowing holy light. It is a beautiful blend. However, when we harmonize three unique stories into one Christmas medley, […]
A lurking restlessness sat in- fight, flight, or freeze. My Breathing accelerated under my mask fogging my readers. It is hard to focus on a book in the emergency room. Should I have gone at all? Who will preach tomorrow? What if my symptoms are some novel presentation of Coronavirus? Is that coughing woman Covid […]
Dear Beloved Friends, Thanksgiving 2020 may feel as different as a Zoom wedding. 2020 has brought our family together with a Zoom funeral for Connie’s father, two virtual graduations, and our son’s wonderful live-streamed wedding. We are thankful for technology that can link us in times of deepest joy and loss. Like many of you, […]
As we move into Advent, we face updated restrictions due to the rising Covid numbers. Perhaps the stress and separation we feel in this Covid year might pull us back towards the story of Christ coming into the world. Before the crowds swarm Christ seeking and finding acceptance, love, hope, healing and justice, God’s Incarnation […]
John 2 tells us that Jesus’ first miraculous sign was turning about 120 gallons of water into wine. Jesus’ mother pressured Christ to perform a miracle to save a wedding feast from the embarrassment of running out of wine. The sommelier chides the groom, “Why did you not serve this heavenly vintage first?” Perhaps this […]
Once upon a time, there was a local lord who loved a growing market share. In Jesus’ telling, this baron was “hard” harvesting where they did not plant seed and gathering produce in another person’s fields. Jesus’ audience of poor people and pharisees knew these absentee landlords and would not have mistaken the “baron” for […]
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