We were riding in a limousine to the graveside. Most of the people in the car were family so — except for the masks — the conversation was comfortable and familiar. Then the funeral director said: “See those smokestacks. That’s…
The Gospel of Luke: Notes from the editor
Dear Luke, Your book is coming along nicely. The stories are great. My favorite is the worthless kid whose lenient father welcomes him home for no reason. That one makes you think. We love the introduction. Everyone adores babies. The shepherds…
How to say goodbye during a pandemic (in English or Spanish)
I had been a New Yorker for two days. At 5:15 on Monday afternoon, I told my wife, Carol, “I’m going to buy bagels.” This was the first time in my life I said, “I’m going to buy bagels.” I…
We’re melting: Empathy in the time of coronavirus
Jason Vicknair went on Twitter to complain about a Mexican restaurant in Allen, Texas. He posted a photo of his beleaguered spouse and wrote: “My wife, date night after three months locked up in quarantine. Waiting for shredded cheese…
I should have said, ‘Tengo un problema’ (I have a problem)
For far, far too long, white people in the United States have pretended to understand more than we understand, pretended that the problem is not as bad as it is, and pretended that it is not about us. Now we are lost and do not even know the language to get home.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Really? Have you not been watching the news?
I preached on the poor in spirit, because when I listened carefully it sounded like God saying we have to do better – as the church, as communities and as a nation.
Funny when you think about it: serious reflections on faith
Writing a column for BNG forces me to pay attention. Once a month I get to ask, “What’s happening that people of faith want to read about?”
Easter at the epicenter: last Sunday in New York
Sunday did not feel like Easter; except for this: what may have been our saddest Easter may also have been our most Easter-like Easter.
Work as religion: why Protestants need to let go of the Protestant Work Ethic
The rise of work as a religion has occurred during the decline of Christianity as a religion.