I stand here chuckling at the irony of the first part of this gospel and the higher liturgical churches with robes and candles and books and big beautiful buildings…This gospel today and the gospel for next week hits WAY too close to home! Mark 12:38-44 As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who … Continue reading God Almighty, destroy the temple!
Author: The Rev. Janie Koch
Three Days
Precious and Holy Father, My mouth feels full of sand. My gut is heavy as concrete. I taste bile and blood. I awoke yesterday with such hope and joy. Like a child the morning of Christmas Eve knowing that incredible presents are coming wrapped in brilliant paper and bows. And as I cry … Continue reading Three Days
Grace in the Gray
I have mentioned this before in the last several weeks of my appreciation for a podcast I've discovered. I've spent a fair amount of windshield time the last several weeks, and Simon Sinek's podcast “A Bit of Optimism” has been my immediate go-to! I listened recently to his conversation with Deeyah Khan and her documentary … Continue reading Grace in the Gray
Miracles, Micro-Deaths, and Hydroponic Spirituality
When I was little, I stayed with Mrs. Carolyn Evans during the summer while my dad traveled as a welder and my mom worked as a secretary at a trucking company. Mrs. Evans had a green station wagon, and Jason Knecht and I and a couple of other kids rode in the back facing out … Continue reading Miracles, Micro-Deaths, and Hydroponic Spirituality
Greed, Rape, Murder. Food, Community, Respite.
Lucy engaged with Mr. Tumnus in Narnia consoling him through his grief. After returning through the wardrobe to her brothers and sister, she begins to tell them about the witch. "But before Lucy could persuade Peter and Susan that there was a wicked White Witch through the wardrobe, Edmund secretly slipped through to see for … Continue reading Greed, Rape, Murder. Food, Community, Respite.
Tending the Three Sisters
Indigenous and First Peoples speak of the Three Sisters, the source of life and hope that are born from Turtle Island. Growing tall and firm, sister corn draws moisture to herself and emerges first from the earth. Spreading finger-like tendrils that search for strength and solidity, sister bean wraps herself around the stalk of her … Continue reading Tending the Three Sisters
A nap and a snack
Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water towards Jesus. The man actually… Walks. On. Water. I can barely bathe my sweet pup in the bathtub without making a soggy, sloppy mess. I can’t even imagine actually walking on the same element that ends up all over my bathroom floor. … Continue reading A nap and a snack
Self awareness is a fickle bitch
In the parables we are to ask ourselves who we are. In the parable of The Good Samaritan, are we the robbers who beat up a lonely traveler (are we the gossip who ruined a person’s reputation, are we the guest at a restaurant who refused to tip the server because of ego, are we … Continue reading Self awareness is a fickle bitch
We cannot define who we are by who we exclude.
The Wizard of Oz. The Grapes of Wrath. The Gunslinger. The Fellowship of the Ring. Pilgrim’s Progress. On the Road. Red Barchetta. In my years as a high school English teacher, I discovered a book that helped target the literary components of the story. How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster says, … Continue reading We cannot define who we are by who we exclude.
The Conversation
I should have known. You didn’t know? No. Of course I didn’t. What do you remember? I remember the closet. What about the closet? You know. Yes, I know. How did you feel? Betrayed. What did you think? Monster. Did you say anything? Yes. You know I did. What was the answer? It’s nothing. How … Continue reading The Conversation
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