On the one hand, Jesus tells us to pray that extreme trials and testings will swerve and avoid us in their providential careening round the world (Matthew 6:13). On the other hand, we’re told in various passages that afflictions are headed our way, and we should rejoice in them. Christ says: “In this world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.” I believe that. But what about us? How does His overcoming the... Read more
Anyone who seriously studies the Bible for any length of time comes to a point, I suppose, where he or she must say: “I just don’t know concerning this point of doctrine.” Or this element of the Faith, or this particular tile in the mosaic of my theology. In fact, it may so happen that one’s field of “unknowing” grows over time, and actually increases with biblical study. It has happened in my own experience, and I’m beginning to suspect... Read more
It’s the long slog through the desert that is the most depressing and debilitating for many believers – that interminable “race” (in Paul’s words) that seems to be much more like a crawl through parched and draining sand traps, spiritually speaking. It is when there appears to be no advancement in sanctification that one is most defeated – or at least that is when one is most tempted to see no hope in the Christian life of (apparently) overblown promises.... Read more
Anson: You do know, my friend, that a defining feature of ancient Canaanite religion was a constant solicitation of the dead for help in everyday affairs. You are aware of the fact that communication with revered ancestors, who had gone on to the land of Mot, was an integral part of their daily devotions. Squire: And what, pray tell, does that have to do with the Roman Catholic veneration of saints? Or with the intercession of the saints in the... Read more
XIV We have strong joy because His joy is stronger And more robust, fuller, heartier than all those Little firework-squibs and faint sparklers – those Sporadic spurts of celebration we manage to find in Our seas of steadfast gray. Out of the ennui endlessly Lulling comes on occasion the lighthouse-beam Needling a line of light through the night, the un- Ending night of the long march. Here we have joy Infused and fed to us unendingly, even in the waiting... Read more
IX If humanity is the renegade rag-girl in the tale Of all history, then the prescient Prince has always Loved her through all ages, as she picked through Bones and ash and assorted litter, looking for Gems or even just pennies in the trash. He had Always known and loved her, from the beginning Or before, convinced always of how he would Rescue her, not just giving up his diadem and wealth, But taking on agony and shame as... Read more
The Hero is a fitting sobriquet: he does what he Would rather not, by a wide degree. Death is nothing Beside a suffering conjured into being Through hurting and hurtling into rage one you Love most, and most want to soften and assuage. To bear black obloquy and iniquity into The Throne Room, where once you played as Prince – Into the loved one’s sphere of personal private Intimacy – while wearing rags offal-befouled – This is the torment of... Read more
I How much terror he must have overcome To climb the tree where Hell awaited him — Facing lavaflows of fury both holy and hot. All the rage of outraged love, hurt to the point Of delirium and derangement, awaited him. Every mother’s cry for wild-eyed justice After a daughter’s defilement, would attack him: The scapegoat, the defendant, the whipping boy Who loved the miscreant little master who Deserved the whip, but willingly took his place. Everything before him threatened... Read more
Dear Arthur 17 March Hope this finds you well. I know it’s been too long since I wrote last, but I can plead at least one plausible excuse: my clinic has been overrun lately by a horde of fanatics who call themselves “pro-life” – which means they’re all for microscopic bundles of noncancerous cells, but indifferent to the lives of poor struggling POC. They swarm the clinic with signs that say something like “Save the Prebbies!” I assume that’s... Read more
There is one feature of the classic Laurel and Hardy films that I’ve never seen addressed in writing, nor heard anyone ever talk about. Everybody (with a few perverse exceptions) admits the movies are charming, funny, and occasionally hilarious beyond measure. But what I’ve never seen discussed concerning the screen duo is the most obvious thing about them: no matter how much they annoy and outrage each other – no matter how much Ollie may boil over or Stan weep... Read more
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