Daily Theology
Jesus Christ
A Mother’s Day Interview with Julian of Norwich
Yesterday being Mother’s Day, one does not expect to find a sermon relating the absence of one’s father on a business trip to the ascension of Jesus, and one might be surprised to hear a letter from the Bishop which in no way mentioned women or mothers. Yet, there I was, hearing all these exciting … Continue reading
The Necessary Terror of Holy Saturday
I’ve always appreciated the awkwardness of Holy Saturday. It’s like, ok, the dark part is over now. Goodness is on the way….we can start to arrange Easter baskets and maybe even have a Holy Saturday party! Indeed, the all-encompassing “Easter Vigil” Mass/Service (depending where you hail from) happens in the late afternoon of Holy Saturday. … Continue reading
Jesus Christ Superstar: Who Do You Say I Am?
For me, the staple film of Holy Week is Jesus Christ Superstar. The first time I saw the film was in high school when VH1 was airing it on Palm Sunday. Being an early 1970’s rock opera, the movie seemed to be pure cheese to me. But the music was catchy, so I kept watching, … Continue reading
Little Second Coming
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, the “manifestation,” or, in a looser translation, the “coming out” of the newborn Christ in the world. In the Christian West, over a very complicated history, we focused primarily on the Magi from the Gospel of Matthew. But in the Christian East, three events at the beginning of … Continue reading
Getting God’s Attention
“The best way to get Jesus’ attention is by talking to Mary.” On this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I find myself wondering how many have heard this line or something like it. Often it’s a tagline for a joke, but as Homer Simpson would say, “It’s funny because it’s true.” … Continue reading
Celebrating Christmas During Advent
Its a common theological trope during the Advent season that “everyone’s doing it wrong.” It’s Advent, not Christmas! It’s the time of waiting, the time of preparation, the time to reflect on the liturgical meaning of the “new year” and to spiritually prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas on the proper day of the … Continue reading
The Evangelization of Emmanuel
The XIII Ordinary Session of the Synod of Bishops will be held in Rome October 7-28 on the theme, “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” The Emerging Theologians Network, in partnership with the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA-Pax Romana), is collecting blog posts on the synod’s theme. … Continue reading
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection Was Not a Victory March
A few years ago I attended a Passion Play/Musical at a megachurch where I used to live. The play ended up being a sort of Cirque-du-Soleil performance of humanity from Adam and Eve to Jesus with a glorious ending in the resurrection. When I say glorious, I mean people dancing in the streets, crowds shouting … Continue reading
Good Friday: Assigning Blame for Jesus’ Death
On this, the saddest of days in the Christian calendar, I will cut to the chase. There are two claims that I wish to dispel. One, the Jews killed Jesus. Two, our sins killed Jesus. The first is fairly simple. The Romans killed Jesus. Whatever Pilate may have done to “wash his hands” of the … Continue reading
Holy Thursday: Remembering Judaism in a Christian World
This evening will mark the official beginning of the Easter Triduum in the Catholic Church. The Triduum begins the evening of Holy/Maundy Thursday, extends through Good Friday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. As these three days are undoubtedly the most important in the Christian liturgical calendar, I have decided to write a … Continue reading
