A quite introductory note: Pressed for time on several fronts, Dear Partner, I’m going to share with you a lightly edited reflection on this week’s Gospel passage that I first wrote three years ago for WorkingPreacher.org. I hope not to have to do that often, as I love our weekly fresh engagement with the text, but for now I appreciate your patience as I try to tend multiple responsibilities. Blessings on your proclamation this week and always. Dear Partner in Preaching, I hate to say it, but I kind of think Matthew’s a punk. Yes, I know, we’re not supposed to say stuff like that. But I can’t help it. Just read...
Wild Geese
posted by DJL
On Thursday I shared a few of the poems of Billy Collins, one of my favorite poets. Today a poem from another favorite poet, Mary Oliver. Oliver is the writer of the luminous and inspiring “Summer Day,” and what I like about her poetry is that it always feels honest, like she is sharing...
Matthew 17:24-27
posted by DJL
Matthew 17:24-27 When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the...
Matthew 17:22-23
posted by DJL
As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed. “If at first you don’t succeed….” Or so goes the old aphorism of...
Poetry as Word, Sound, and Image
posted by DJL
I’m curious what you think. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you probably know that Billy Collins is one of my favorite poets. I love the simplicity of language and imagery, the unpretentiousness of his poems and person, his ability to evoke emotion and insight through succinct use of language, and the reliable good humor he employs (just read To My Favorite 17 Year-Old High School Girl or Litany for stellar examples). In the TED Talk below, he shares a description of an invitation he received to allow some of his poetry to be illustrated in short films. And here’s where my question come: do you think the...