February 28, 2010: Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 15:5-12,17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17–4:1; Luke 9:28b-36
In all of the times that I have heard this reading, I never once before registered the word “exodus” as the subject of the conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Just as every year I hear something new in the Epiphany readings, I hear [...]

Purim Begins at Sundown

Purim is a two day event beginning at sundown on the fourteenth day of Adar, the twelve month of the Jewish calendar.
Every race and religion has their solemn and their festive holidays. Purim is the most festive of the Jewish Holidays. Children dress in costumes and people give gifts. Usually solemn synagogues are turned into [...]

February 21, 2010: First Sunday of Lent

Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13
Well, of course Jesus was hungry after forty days without food. So of course, the devil’s first temptation is with food. But is it food, really, to turn stones into bread? Or is the temptation to use his power to meet his own needs [...]

“Retirement” According to Sister Patricia Whittman

January 1st marked the completion of my first year of retirement, so I have been asked to share what it has been like for me.
Well you may ask,   “Do Sisters really retire?:   I thought the Vows said “forever”! I must answer Yes, but with a difference. There are some things from which Sisters never retire… the [...]

Ash Wednesday: February 17

“Sackcloth and ashes” is a familiar phrase, arising from a medieval custom of humbling oneself in public before God or the Church community to beg forgiveness. But dust or ashes go even further back as sign of penitance and mourning to the time of Moses and the Old Testament.
Within Christian churches today, the custom continues [...]

February 17, 2010: Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
How is your spiritual life? Who are you, deep down in your heart of hearts? What gives you deep joy? What refreshes you? What helps you through the frenzy of modern life? If your answers to any of these questions tend to [...]