“Eight little sailors went up to heaven, one looked back and now there’s seven.” That line is from an old sea chantey, a working song from the age of sail. It reflects the Christian attitude emphasized in today’s readings. A Christian always looks forward, not back. Our entire existence hereContinue Reading

During Lent we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. Traditionally we do this by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But today’s readings offer a way to start our Lenten observance, with a declaration of faith. A profession of faith accompanies Israel’s offering. By reciting, in a very abbreviated form,Continue Reading

Our “today” is different from the “today” of ancient Israel. While they were a people who wept and rejoiced in the hearing of the law, we are a people incorporated into the Body of Christ. The first century Judeans were individual members of a community, but we are interrelated membersContinue Reading