Matthew

During Holy Week, it's common for worship leaders to ask people to consider their place in the drama of Jesus' final days. To what extent do we betray him, deny him, insult him, crucify him? When do we, like the crowds, find ourselves gawking at suffering with prurient glee? When do we, like the thieves, alternately ridicule the truth, then believe in it? When do we, like the centurion, make our confession--though perhaps a moment too late?

How on earth do we balance the quietness of our hearts with a public call to repentance?

I've always assumed that the revelation here is that Jews should let the gentiles into the community. But perhaps the revelation is at least as much the fact that the gentiles want to be included.

If all it took was a star to compel a person to Bethlehem, the Magi would arrive to see a multitude.

How is thankfulness engendered? By giving thanks in all circumstances.

Readers who found Pastrix to be a long, cool drink will find more refreshment here. Those who have tired of Nadia Bolz-Weber's cranky schtick will tire of it here as well.

Christians didn’t baptize Aldo Leopold’s land ethic after the fact. They got there years before his work.

“Many were coming and going, and they had no leisure, even to eat.” I think of the many lunches spent at my computer with a sandwich.

Perhaps the real lack of faith in modern society comes down to a lack of reverence for the people around us.

I have come to realize how mysterious a thing a seed is.

I have come to realize how mysterious a thing a seed is.

By the third century, the gesture of giving became miniaturized.

Two recent books testify to the difficult but hopeful work of forgiving in the most trying circumstances.