Jessica Mesman
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words Hunt and Wind.
Snakes and scorpions for our children (Luke 11:1-13)
How could Jesus assume that all those who heard him preach would never treat their children in such a way?
July 31, Ordinary 18C Luke (12:13-21)
The lilies of the field don’t have student loans.
July 24, Ordinary 17C (Hosea 1:2-10)
If Hosea is a factual account, it’s horrific. If it’s an allegory, it’s still horrific.
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words Disguise and Hinge.
Lisa Sharon Harper’s memoir of the legacy of slavery
Fortune gives a wrenching account of intergenerational trauma and its costs.
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words Disguise and Hinge.
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words Eye and Field.
Sister Agatha roller-skates away from the church
The heroine of Claire Luchette’s novel realizes she became a nun to avoid being herself.
I just can’t quit Facebook
Yes, it’s harmful to children, democracy, and much more. It also makes my life better.
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words scrap and threshold.
Sinéad O’Connor knows exactly who she is
Rememberings is the story of a pop star, protest singer, and prophet.
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words scrap and threshold.
The Century invites reader submissions
The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives inspired by the words quake and scrap.
Prayer with legs (Easter 4B; 1 John 3:16-24)
On continuing to believe in prayer when others (quite reasonably) do not
April 25, Easter 4B (John 10:11-18)
When I was newly pregnant with my daughter, I thought of myself as the hired hand, her temporary guardian.
April 18, Easter 3B (Luke 24:36b-48)
In case flesh and bone aren’t enough to convince the disciples, Jesus also asks for dinner.
The books we’re giving as Christmas gifts
If your secret Santa were a Century editor, here’s what you might be getting.