Category Archives: story

I heard it from an angel …

“I heard it from an angel, who heard it from a shepherd, who heard it from his sheep, who heard it from a donkey, who heard it from an ox that you had a baby tonight. Continue reading →

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Mary’s first Christmas

The first Christmas after he died, she spent the dawn remembering that night in Bethlehem, and the stars, and the straw. Continue reading →

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Invested

It’s the sixth anniversary of the mass murder of children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, and I have been asked to comment on the topic of shareholder advocacy in gun manufacturing, and it’s about breaking my heart. Continue reading →

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Advent obligations and indulgences

It is almost impossible to calculate or to know what the smallest notice, the most minor kindness, done deliberately and without ceremony, can do to lift the spirits of one who might need it more than we imagine. Continue reading →

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Olive branches over ordnance

The olive trees, ancient and observant, hearing the blood that cries out from the land, whisper that the answer to Cain’s crime cannot be to take the hoe from his hand and hand him an AR-15. Continue reading →

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Why I take pictures of cats

Above the Monastery in Petra, signs direct visitors to some of the very Best Views.
We scrambled towards the Best View in the World.
It was a very good view. There was also, of course, a small cat. Continue reading →

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Trust

A man whose last name we didn’t know, whom we had met last night, pointed out a narrowing canyon and said, “Walk that way. I’ll meet you on the other side.” Continue reading →

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Morning prayer

A rabbit, startled by the
gas-powered scythe scuttered,
white tail exposed,
exiting garden right. Continue reading →

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Conjuring Esther

Esther has become difficult to read. Her story makes me angry and afraid. We read it like a fairytale. But like so many fairytales, it teems with themes of horror dressed up in satin and silk. Continue reading →

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Fear of God

I am a professional at proclaiming the promises of God. I make excuses not to put God to the test. Continue reading →

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