Looking back at 2018
A new calendar year is underway. It’s a good time to look back on the previous year and give thanks for how the Spirit of love, grace, and justice has accompanied us along the way. It’s also a good time to change the hard-to-pronounce Phloem and Xylem blog title to…
A season of more
This morning I was listening to a podcast where the guest made an off-hand comment that drugs – and money, the host added – make people more extreme versions of themselves. Whether or not this is true for drugs and money, it seems to be true for the Christmas season….
Thomas Merton 50 years later
“The real function of discipline is not to provide us with maps but to sharpen our own sense of direction so that when we really get going we can travel without maps.” — Thomas Merton, “Renewal and Discipline” essay in book Contemplation in a World of Action I could have…
Advent Practices
Last Sunday we kicked off a new liturgical year, which means we have officially entered the season of Advent. This is a season where we dwell on hope, waiting, expectation, and preparation to once again welcome the Christ child. During Advent, we learn to wait for the incarnation of God…
The 2nd and 2000th coming of Christ
“And may the Holy One make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our…