Monthly Archives: March 2020

Wave Those Palm Branches

Posted on March 30, 2020 by John

Palm Procession Psalm for Palm/Passion Sunday This coming Sunday is both Palm and Passion Sunday in the church’s calendar. Let us, for the moment, concentrate on that first part.   This time of pandemic we are almost all confining ourselves … Continue reading →

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Sméagol Rules the House

Posted on March 26, 2020 by John

In a time of pandemic it is good to “shelter in place,” and practice “social distancing.” But it is also good, with those who are part of the household, to cuddle. And cuddle big time. Our “circular shaped” cat, Sméagol, … Continue reading →

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Epidemic Advice from Martin Luther

Posted on March 26, 2020 by John

We just had a Great little Zoom online meeting of our weekly church study group we call “Lunch and Learn.” A big part of the learning for me was a quote from Martin Luther about a similar time to ours … Continue reading →

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At the Tomb of Lazarus

Posted on March 24, 2020 by John

John 11:1-45 Gospel for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year A Several times a day my wife and I scan the New York Times on line. These days, of course, we find that almost every article is more bad news about the … Continue reading →

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The Man Born Blind: Baptism’s Daily Significance in Decision

Posted on March 21, 2020 by John

We call the present COVID-19 pandemic a crisis. Crisis can be thought of as a moment that makes decision necessary. We are pressed in a corner and must choose one way out rather than another. The Gospel for the Fourth … Continue reading →

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The Samaritan Woman: Life That Gushes

Posted on March 19, 2020 by John

We are still playing catch-up on the great dialogs of the Fourth Gospel appointed for Lent. Last Sunday was the Third Sunday of Lent, and the appointed Gospel reading was from John, chapter four, which features Jesus’ dialog with the … Continue reading →

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Fog and Beauty at Heatherhope

Posted on March 19, 2020 by John

      Here’s another reminder that Life goes on during the pandemic.   Martin Luther said that one of his weapons for keeping the Devil away was to cut a fart. We can do something akin if, in the … Continue reading →

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Nicodemus and Us

Posted on March 17, 2020 by John

This is my second “blog in a time of pandemic.” And it fits also in my ongoing series of reflections on the Sunday readings. (I rely greatly in these comments on the scholarship of the late Raymond E. Brown, and I love his idea … Continue reading →

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Blogging in a Time of Pandemic

Posted on March 17, 2020 by John

Isn’t it a loving God who put inside each of us the yearning to belong—to feel the presence of others—to complete someone else and have them complete us? Perhaps Covid-19 is the earth’s way of crying out to us. It … Continue reading →

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