Addiction and Hope
ADDICTION AND HOPE Addictions are ruthless and destructive. That’s a lesson I’ve known for most of my life but, for some reason, God has seen fit to reinforce over the course of these past two weeks of my ministry. A short while ago— on a brisk, overcast day when the temperature had dropped to something …. Read More
The Comfort of Ashes
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” – These words from the Ash Wednesday service are meant to be jarring. A reminder of our unsubstantial nature, a reminder of death. The ashes themselves are the crushed and burned palms of hope and joy that once waived in the singing of “Hosanna”. …. Read More
LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT: REFLECTIONS ON THE COMING OF CHRIST
The most ominous picture the scriptures paint of Christ’s second coming is found in the Revelation to Saint John: “Behold, I am coming like a thief!” (Rev. 16:5). It’s not a picture I’m fond of dwelling on: The Lord as home invader, coming unbidden in the quiet hours of the night, prowling about unseen …. Read More
Changing the Question, Rewriting the Story
Years ago when I worked at an After School Program I remember a mom catching her son in some act of misdemeanour yelling “What is wrong with you?” as she hurried him out the door. Those words “What is wrong with you” have been used on a very frequent basis with a whole host of …. Read More
When your conscience knocks on the door
“The homeless are our conscience” – I forget now who said this to me, but I heard it while I was living in Toronto where year round outdoor living is made (barely) possible by the Subway heating vents and the occasional unlocked doorway. Anywhere I walked I passed by our conscience. In Saint John the …. Read More
The Art of Holy Listening: A Lenten Discipline
THE ART OF HOLY LISTENING: A LENTEN DISCIPLINE If there’s one technological innovation of the past decade that has effected me the most it would have to be the ability to download audiobooks or podcasts onto my phone and to listen to them anytime of day. For me, this has made mindless tasks far less …. Read More
At the Crossroads: A Self-Guided Spiritual Retreat for People Turning 40 (or Undergoing any Major Life Transition).
At the Crossroads: A Self-Guided Spiritual Retreat for People Turning 40 (or Undergoing any Major Life Transition). For my fortieth birthday, Jasmine gave me a gift that any introverted, middle-aged priest would appreciate: a private, 48 hour spiritual retreat at a nearby Cistercian-Trappist Monastery— specifically, our Lady of Calvary Abbey in Rogersville, New Brunswick. It’s …. Read More
Welfare is…
What do you think when you hear that someone is on “Welfare”? For most the word “Welfare” has become associated with shameful or unfavourable connotations. We may think of people in line ups for assistance, people who are poorly dressed or unkept. The more embittered may think of able bodied men and women who get to …. Read More
The Streets Age You: The Correlation Between Poverty and Ill Health
THE STREETS AGE YOU: The Correlation between Poverty and Ill Health Gary* and I are roughly the same age and have a decent amount in common. We both have children in second grade; we both share the same perverse fascination with American politics; we both have asthma, suffer from an allergy to pet dander and …. Read More