When he traveled, Martin Luther King Jr. often carried with him Jesus and the Disinherited, a small book by Howard Thurman, one of the spiritual guides of the Civil Rights Movement. In it, Thurman teaches that as a poor Jewish…
Thoughts on Halloween, saints and souls
In my quiet suburban cul-de-sac in Atlanta, our neighbors are competing with one another to mark Halloween in the oddly incoherent American way that has become our “normal.” We have our Harvest Festival types — friendly looking scarecrows, straw hats,…
‘All Survivors Day’ piggybacks on All Saints’ Day to raise awareness about sexual abuse
While kids celebrate Halloween and liturgical churches observe All Saints’ Day, several advocacy organizations are combining efforts to recognize survivors of sexual abuse. All Survivors Day, Nov. 3, is an international day to share survivor stories, raise awareness and seek…
All Saints Day and every day: the ‘dangerous, restless speech’ and revolutionary act of lament
The nature of lament is profoundly spiritual and political. Lament ensures that questions of justice are asked and makes clear that things are not OK. But it doesn’t stop there. Lament suggests that what is wrong can be changed.
Saints don’t have to be dead: gratitude for regular, blessed folk through whom goodness shines
Saints are regular, blessed folks around us through whom goodness shines. Being blessed is not about storing up riches and celebrity accolades; it is all about giving oneself away.
Have you prayed about it?
Last Father’s Day I received a gift from my wife and children more precious than I can describe. Without my knowledge, they had repurposed some wood from my late father’s workshop and built a kneeling bench, or prie-dieu, for my…
Social media and the communion of saints
La versión en español está disponible aquí. On the first weekend of November many churches will be observing Memorial Sunday, a day to remember and celebrate those who have gone before us. This fact prompted me to reflect on the…
Death is behind them
By Molly T. Marshall Death remains a great mystery for humans, and we want to know more about what transpires on the “other side.” As my friend Babs Baugh says, “I just wish I could get a postcard.” We do…
From sugar-laced Halloween to somber All Saints reflection
By Amy Butler It’s funny how different seasons of life can hold totally different experiences, constant invitations to reflect on the gift and adventure of human life, ongoing opportunities to consider — and shift — how we live. I was…