It Is Finished!

It is finished! was Jesus’ victory cry, uttered in a loud voice before giving up his spirit. In the Greek, it is akin to “Mission accomplished!  What mission had he accomplished? What did Jesus accomplish on the cross? Jesus was sent to bring about the restoration of...
Ashes and Chocolate

Ashes and Chocolate

Ash Wednesday marks, for all believers, the beginning of our journey of reflection to the cross. On this day, pilgrims take their first steps on the Via Dolorosa, as we accompany Christ on his way to Calvary. How terribly inconvenient then, that Ash Wednesday, a day...
The Year of the Lord’s Favor

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

As I write, we sit squarely in Advent, awaiting the coming of our savior-king, Jesus. The ancient Church calendar invites us to wait in expectancy during this four-week season that precedes Christmas and then offers us twelve glorious days in which to celebrate our...
Sin Lives in Me

Sin Lives in Me

It’s tempting to read the first fifteen verses of the prophetic 59th chapter of Isaiah by only looking outward. The world heaves under the oppression of those who shed blood, whose mouths drip lies and obscenities, whose hands commit wicked acts of violence. These are...
How Do I Practice a Holy Lent?

How Do I Practice a Holy Lent?

Lent is one of the harder seasons of the Church year to press into. It’s long and doesn’t have any of the softer edges of Advent. For six-and-a-half weeks, we’re invited to contemplate our sinfulness and Jesus’ atonement. Many of us approach this season asking, how...