The Face of Christ: 24 Hours More or Less

The Face of Christ:  24 Hours More or Less  When our staff at St. Mark’s meets for Morning Prayer on Tuesdays, we always pray that we’ll catch a glimpse of the face of Christ in everybody who crosses our path.  And because we see the face of Christ all the time, I know God answers [...]

What Colour is Grief?

Grief is the caution tape-yellow of shock. Keep out. Stop right here. Go no further. Grief is the deep blue of sadness, bottomless like the ocean and just as wide. Grief is the raging red of anger. So many things you can’t control. Who can you blame? Where is God? Grief is the dark murkiness [...]

Las Posadas: An Honest Tradition

Years ago I worked with people seeking refuge in Canada from violence, fear and persecution in Central America.  With them I experienced a Latin American tradition called Las Posadas, an old tradition, still carried out today.  Las Posadas happens in the days before Christmas, the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. [...]

To Welcome, To Heal, To Include

At St. Mark’s, for years, before we receive communion, the pastor (who often is me) says this: “Come to the table where everyone is welcome; the gifts of God for the people of God.” And people old and young respond, enthusiastically, thoughtfully, hungrily, hopefully: “Thanks be to God!” Lately one of the kids has taken [...]

Available Light

Available Light Photographers talk about taking pictures with available light, without a flash.  It’s a great image:  available light! Well, in the time just before Jesus begins his ministry, the time of John the Baptist, there’s little light available to for people to live by.  People are longing for light, just like we are today.  [...]

On the Way

I am on the bus to Toronto, about an hours ride from where I live. Its early morning  when I board the bus and find a seat next to the window, hoping no one will find me there and start up a conversation. I close my eyes and make myself as small as possible. Soon [...]

Puzzle Wisdom: A Baker’s Dozen

During a stressful time in my life, along with praying and reaching out to others for support, I started working the hardest jigsaw puzzles I could find. As I worked with the puzzle pieces, I started carrying on a conversation with myself about the wisdom of puzzles . . . about what puzzles can teach [...]

What does God look like?

Sitting in one of the pews in the almost empty church one weekday morning, I asked the woman sitting beside me what she thought God looks like. I didn’t have a particular answer in mind. The person was asking for prayer, and I wanted to know what kind of God she prays to. From day [...]