Kenneth L. Samuel: Exposing Darkness
According to philosopher Edmund Burke, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing. Corruption can only thrive in contexts of silent acquiescence.
Benjamin Pratt: The Workbench
At this remarkable milestone in world history””500 years from the start of the Reformation and 200 years from Thoreau’s birth””we invited popular author and columnist Benjamin Pratt to reflect on the challenges of his own life’s work as a pastor, counselor, writer, father, grandfather and talented woodworker.
By Letting Go
This is a Day1 Key Voice article by The Rev. Frederick Buechner.
Frederick Schmidt: 2 Questions that Could Change Your Life
One of the central practices in Jesuit devotion ”” the one that Ignatius of Loyola considered indispensable ”” was the prayer of Examen. Ignatius felt that the key to spiritual growth was to cultivate an awareness of when and where God had been present in the course of the day. It was so important, in fact, that he urged his followers to do the Examen, even if it cost them the little time that they might have for prayer.
Brett Younger: The Many Things I Do Not Know about Racism
Two years ago, Carol and I started attending a nearby African Methodist Episcopal Church. One other white person came from time to time. I liked it more when she was not there, because I enjoyed saying, 'We were the only white people at church.'
Martin Copenhaver: The Serious Business of Joy
Jesus and his followers did not fast as often as others did. In fact, Jesus relished food and drink so much that some accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard. Beyond that, Jesus just seemed to be having too good a time. There's got to be something wrong with that, or so concluded some of his contemporaries.
ON Scripture: Rise Up! (Micah 6:1-8) By Roger S. Nam
The prophet Micah lived during a time of political turmoil and transition. Sound familiar?
Weekly Sermon Illustration: The Beatitudes
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. On January 29, 2017 we will celebrate the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.
Lillian Daniel: Comfortable in My Seat
At a recent Interfaith Worker Justice board meeting, Naeem Baig, President of the Islamic Circle of North America, shared a story about a scene he witnessed on an airplane. A mother was traveling with three small children but for some reason, none of them were seated together. So the mother asked other passengers if they would move so she could stay close to her little ones.
Anthony Robinson: Inclusive
The Pharisee is almost a cartoon of the self-righteous person. It's easy to poke fun at him. Harder to identify with him.
Will Willimon: Christian Talk about the Sin of Racism
In February Abingdon Press will publish my book, 'Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism.' The book is a labor of love, a tragedy that has captured my imagination over a lifetime, a topic that has been one of my major concerns.
Unbelief
This is a Day1 Key Voice article by The Rev. Frederick Buechner.
Carl McColman: Encountering Jesus through Questions in the Gospels
Saint Teresa of Ãvila, one of the greatest of Christian mystics, understood clearly that the height of mystical spirituality, at least for Christians, must be grounded in the humble humanity of Jesus Christ.
Frederick Schmidt: 4 Ways to “Future” the Church
In a recent article on 'Futuring' in The Wall Street Journal, Christopher Mims observes: 'The art and science of futuring is fast becoming a necessary skill, where we read signals, see trends and ruthlessly test our own assumptions.... It’s clear,' he notes, that 'we’re not going to make it through [our complex environment] as passengers.'
Greg Carey: Grace Inside the Church and Out
When I was in middle school, I committed an act of vandalism significant enough to elicit a police investigation. Three weeks passed before I was called into the principal’s office to meet the detectives. I thought I’d gotten away with it. I still managed a firm denial, but the police already had a confession from my friend and accomplice. Also, an eyewitness had pegged us. We were busted.
Benjamin Pratt: Martin Luther 2017: 500 Years of Reformation
To kick off this historic year, we invite author and columnist Benjamin Pratt to stir our reflections on the Reformation by describing his own recent visit to Luther’s home...
ON Scripture: Trump’s Inauguration and Conflicted Hope in a Divided Christianity (Isaiah 9:1-4) By The Rev. Billy Honor
The nation of Israel was in a time of looming war and destruction, darkness and gloom (Isaiah chapter 8). As a result, the people were divided and uncertain about the future and searching for answers. This was the period of time somewhere around the end of the reign of King Ahaz when the Isaiah prophesied that the coming of a new messiah or divine leader was near.
Weekly Sermon Illustration: Denominations
In our blog post every Monday we select a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday, and pair it with a Frederick Buechner reading on the same topic. On January 22, 2014 we will celebrate the Third Sunday after Epiphany.
Wayne Meisel: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and the Intersection of Faith and Service
What I like best about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is that it is a day on, not a day off.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton: A Message for Martin Luther King Day
On Monday, Jan. 16, our nation will be observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King’s work called us, all of us, to remember our neighbor. As a civil rights leader, he spoke about a vision of a beloved community and preached a message of love.