A Quaker Christmas Message
In a Quaker reading of the annunciation narrative, each of us is an anonymous Mary in whose dark heart-womb the seed Christ abides.
Kairos: A Meditation on Some Words of Mary Oliver
The now opens into the new: in any and every moment, you may see the day dawn and the day star arise in your heart ….
On Extended Wings
I thought back to days when … I had experienced myself as a lone eagle, propelling myself upward, toward the light, on powerful wings. But time has a way of dispelling delusion. I am much older now: winging heavenward, even with help, is beyond me; on mere feet I falter.
The Turning of the Wheel (1): Jesus as Poet
In observance of National Poetry Month, I offer the following transcription of vocal ministry from December 29, 1991 (reprinted from my journal). I hope to follow it soon with another post on the topic of “the turning of the wheel.” Images and quotations have come together for me this morning, bringing with them reflections on…
Saving Selving
An untitled sonnet by the Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins (d. 1889) expresses insights that are essential to both the Catholic and the Quaker experience….
A Quaker Christmas Message (updated copy)
A revision, done in December of 2014, of the original 2009 essay.
Archaic Torso of Christ
This morning in worship, probably because George Fox’s experience of Christianity was in the back of my mind, I remembered Rilke‘s poem, “Archaic Torso of Apollo,” and thought to let it speak of Christianity. (No, I don’t imagine that was Rilke’s intent; and yes, I am aware that “during meeting for worship thou shouldst not…
