Tag: power

discretion is not secret-keeping, it is spiritual practice

One Christian practice with which I am slowly and needfully becoming acquainted is the practice of discretion.  Now by using that word I do not mean the “discretion” that most modern ears hear when they hear that word.  Today, in modern speech, discretion has taken on a different tone than...

the regular saints – the modern ones

What is at stake anyways?  As the church changes in the new society being built, what will change and what will stay the same and how low or high are the stakes? This is a good week to wonder about the saints of our church and to wonder if they...

something new

The death of patriarchy in our society and our church has begun, though slowly.  White men will no longer be in charge. Women will begin to take over and systems which have prevailed for centuries will topple.  Men’s insecurities will no longer motivate what happens on our planet and perhaps...

sticky touch and a kiss

“Touch. It is touch that is the deadliest enemy of chastity, loyalty, monogamy, gentility with its codes and conventions and restraints. By touch we are betrayed and betray others ... an accidental brushing of shoulders or touching of hands ... hands laid on shoulders in a gesture of comfort that...

inside painting

This is a two-inch tall Chinese bottle from the early 1800’s and is decorated with what is called “inside painting.”  An artist paints such a bottle on the inside of the glass, backwards, beginning from what would normally be the final strokes on a painting, and working backwards to what...

world peace

This image from our Te Deum window over the West Doors and around which the new Antiphonal Organ is being raised is one I find striking.  I expect it is Saint George but I am not sure.  Still, it reminds me of a church and a church history with which...