In the first reading, Jacob, having fled from his brother Esau’s wrath, finds himself at a shrine, where he rests for the night, using a stone for a pillow. It is here that Jacob a divine revelation comes in a dream. Jacob sees a stairway going from earth to the heavens. It was believed in the ancient world that there were certain places on earth where the divine and earthly realms met. One such place was Bethel. Continue reading
It’s that time of year again. Summer is upon us and we are drawn to the back porch, the deck, or whatever forms the backyard of your place. It is time to barbeque, hangout, or just enjoy the evening with family, friends, and the uninvited guests: the culicidae – aka, mosquitos (…. and yes “mosquitoes” is also an acceptable spelling according to Merriam Webster). Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time in Lectionary Cycle A. We read from Matthew 13, known as a “day of parables.” What is a “Parable”? Definition: “At its simplest a parable is a metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought.” (C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom, New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1961, p. 5) Less accurate, but perhaps more to the point – when heard, a parable should give you pause and turn your world upside down. Continue reading
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