May Christmas transform our hearts and our society

  The Christmas season is upon us — in the traditional Church calendar, Christmas began on Dec. 25 and ends at Epiphany on Jan. 6 (followed by the beginning of the Orthodox Christmas season Jan. 7). Regardless of when you believe Christmas begins and ends, the season is, at its best, a time of family, …

Rocks, bells and our inescapable bonds in humanity

It seems a large portion of our society wants to emulate or, perhaps, become a rock. Not a rock in the sense of the spoiled, hedonistic, “rock star” boobs who populate the covers of tabloids, but rather a rock in the sense they are immovable in their self-reliance. In many ways, this is one of …

Living at the intersection of faith and science

Astronomy instructor lives out his faith through teaching the astronomical signs of the Nativity ENID, Okla. — For many Americans, faith and science seem incompatible. According to a 2015 Pew Research Study, almost one-third of Americans say science and their personal religious beliefs are in conflict, while 59% say “science and religion often conflict.” But, …

Finding inner peace among shadow puppets

What does it look like when we’ve found inner peace? I pondered that question a lot recently, while writing a lay sermon on the topic for church, within the context of Advent. I certainly can’t claim to have a special hold on the topic myself. Admittedly, in the realm of finding inner peace, of not …

The arc of our politics — sound and fury, signifying nothing

Do you recall the great fight between Tiberius Gracchus and the Senate? The Revolt of the Ciompi? The Iberian Union? The Sepoy Rebellion? No? Not surprising. These events, while critical turning points in the world powers of the day of Rome, Florence, Spain, Portugal and Britain, are mostly forgotten to history. And, so too will …

The feet of victory

From Morning Prayer: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7 As we await, in Advent, Christ's healing touch on this world, the image of the wounded foot …

Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden

At this time of year, with Christmas just a few hectic weeks away, any discussion of inner peace may seem abstract at best. If the shopping and cooking and decorating and wrapping and many social obligations don’t get your peace, then a family member is sure to bring up politics at the dinner table and …