Category: Faith

  • Reflections on Thomas Aquinas Seminar in Orvieto

    Reflections on Thomas Aquinas Seminar in Orvieto

    OK. Let’s be clear. If you want a concise review of our work here at the Istituto San Lodovico, don’t read this, read Ruby’s journal. She is much smarter than me and able to sythesize more quickly. I will be ruminating over this material for months. I’ve come away with a reading list that will…

  • Gospel Reflection for Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

    Gospel Reflection for Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

    Each week one of a team of folk at St Andrews Episopal Church, Madison, WI writes a Justice Reflection based on the Gospel reading for the week from the lectionary. This week is my turn so I share here my submission for publication in the newsletter. #theology #faith Mark 4:35-41 4:35 On that day, when…

  • Aquinas in Orvieto

    Aquinas in Orvieto

    I am a little behind in my travelogue. Our seminar has begun. Matthew Fox walks us through his work on Aquinas in the morning and we join together in some smaller artistic expression groups in the afternoon punctuated by a two hour multi-course Italian “lunch”. Of course then we don’t need dinner but with all…

  • Reflection on Matthew 5:1

    Reflection on Matthew 5:1

    Each week members at St. Andrews write Justice reflections on the Gospel for the week. This week was mine. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; Matt 5:1a It’s about perspective. Instead of going up the mountain to look away from the world to see God more clearly, turn around, and view…

  • Gospel Reflection for First Sunday After Christmas 2020

    Luke 2:22-40 Martin J. Dooley, a fictional Irish Bartender from the Bridgeport section of Chicago was quoted as saying, in 1902, by his creator Finley Peter Dunne, that the newspaper, among other things, “comforts th’ afflicted, afflicts th’ comfortable.” Eighty-five years later Martin E. Marty, in “Religion and Republic: The American Circumstance” would reiterate that…

  • Amazing Grace – Instrumental Descant

    Over the last 40 years I’ve written descants for hymns from time to time. I’ll post them here. They are free for non-commercial use. Enjoy. If you do use them (usually it will be in church) let me know when and where. If you like them feel free to buy me a cup of coffee…

  • Reflections on Goodness in Genesis Chapter 1

    Imagine, if you will, that you are an inquisitive youngster. Your family lives in relatively close proximity to the ocean and you are in love with the rhythm and power of the waves. Each day, or as often as you can pull yourself away from chores, carrying water, feeding the livestock or picking on your…