Be gracious to me, Blessed One, for I am in distress.
My eyes are awash with grief; my bed swims in tears.
My bones bulge under the weight of unlived life.
Read more ›Author: ppadmin
News, views, notes, and quotes
Signs of the Times • 5 June 2018 • No. 163
¶ Invocation. “Imagine,” by John Lennon, performed by the Secaucus (New Jersey) High School and Middle School, on the 4 March 2018, National School Walkout.
Imagination and transformation
Do not be conformed
by Ken Sehested
Imagination is one of our age’s feel-good words, and if you use it (and I do, a lot), first pause to consider the term’s shadow side.
Imaginary, a linguistic cousin, can be used to describe a life removed from the vicissitudes of history, e.g., pipe 
dreams sprinkled with pixie dust, also known as magical thinking. To call such living childish is an insult to children. Imagination is not escapism. Spiritual life is not evacuation to another world.
Imagine This
A story from prison
by Nancy Hastings Sehested
(Excerpt from an upcoming book of stories from work as a prison chaplain.)
Forty inmates lined up for smudging to enter the sacred circle for the Native American prayers. I spotted Genaro and a little alarm went off in my head. “Genaro, can I talk to you for a minute?” He smiled and nodded.
The shade of the building sheltered us from the blistering noonday sun and got us out of hearing range of the other men. “Genaro, you know that you must either go into the circle to smoke the pipe, or stay outside the circle by yourself. Last week I noticed that another guy sat with you outside the circle. If custody staff sees that, they assume you’re passing tobacco.”
Read more ›al-Nakba
Meditation on Israel, Palestine, and the calculus of power
by Ken Sehested
15 May is the anniversary of what Palestinians call al-Nakba, translated as “the Catastrophe” in reference to the day following Israel’s formation as a state in 1948. Some three-quarters of a million Palestinians were forced from their homes. Four hundred Palestinian villages cease to exist. The heirs of the expelled now number five million, most living in refugee camps on the West Bank, Gaza, and surrounding countries.
I was in my 30s when I first heard the word Nakba, and the historical moment it represents, well into a career requiring broad knowledge of global affairs. In my experience, few here in North America know the word.
Read more ›News, views, notes, and quotes
Signs of the Times • 25 May 2018 • No. 162
¶ Processional. Berzeit University (Ramallah, Palestine) performing the Palestinian Dabka folk dance. (58 seconds. Thanks, David.)
Memorial Day preparation materials
Commentary, sermon, and other resources for worship preparation
Memorial Day preparation materials
• “Memorial Day: A historical summary”
• “Conflicting memorials: The Lord’s Table of remembrance vs. the nation’s vow of preeminence,” an essay
Read more ›Readings from Jewish, Christian and Islamic scripture and tradition
Prepared for "A Penitential Opportunity," worship resources for a service in commemorations of the 50th anniversary of the My Lai massacre
§The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. . . . [God] raises up the poor from the dust [and] lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with the rulers and inherit a seat of honor. —1 Samuel 2:4-5, 8a
§You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also. . . . You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say unto you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. —Matthew 5:38-39, 43-44
§The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever is untrustworthy in his dealings has no faith, and whoever is not committed to his promises has no religion. —Bayhaqi
Read more ›Bewildering Word
When Jesus began his ministry, Rome was the sole superpower, governed by Tiberius, adoptive son of Caesar Augustus, whose praises were carved in stone.
From untamed territory a voice resounds: Prepare the Way! Unlock the gate! Make straight the reach of Love renowned.
Caesar was the “redeemer” who brought “salvation,” establishing “peace and security for the world,” the only true “Lord” in whom all should have “faith.”
Read more ›All manner of things
Blessed are those whose hearts bow and whose hands fold in reverence to the Source of all life.
The bounty of the garden will fill their houses.
Their hope of redemption will guide the tempest-tossed to Heaven’s sheltered sanctuary.
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