Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year A - Season After Pentecost, From Trinity Sunday to the End of August - 2023 Note that in Pentecost, the Sundays are numbered as "after" Pentecost Sunday. So the first Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, is Pentecost 1. The Season of Pentecost comes just as we in the Northern Hemisphere enter the summer season. And enter into continuing uncertainty as to how extreme weather events brought on by the climate emergency, war, economic and political conflicts will impact our ways of being gathered communities. The chaotic upending of life as we knew it is not new to the Biblical story. No one expected Jesus' resurrection. And just like the first disciples, we too must now ask one one another, "What shall we do now?" And like them, perhaps we too will glean some comfort and some guidance by remembering what Jesus said and did... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year A - Season of Easter - 2023 This year, Easter will arrive in the midst of the experience of uncertain global environmental crisis, economic imbalances, power struggles, and all of their consequences. One of the strengths of living within an ancient practice is being able to draw on the experiences and learned-from-experience wisdoms of those who have gone before. We are not the first generation to live with the stress and anxiety of a deadly present and unimaginable future. Nor are we the first generation to discover that our "faith" was actually based on taken-for-granted assumptions that we were unaware of - because those assumptions just happened every day - never needed to be thought about. And now we find ourselves suddenly needing to thinking about "How now shall we live?" Whatever your context may be, I pray that Holy Textures will guide you... Continue reading

What the United Church of Canada (UCCan) needs now is a Greta Thunberg approved vision of a plausible future for the planet. Here’s what I think the UCCan can offer: 100% commitment to zero carbon by 2030. This would apply not only to buildings, but also to all programs and activities including worship, meetings, travel, etc. It would also include active participation in existing climate crisis networks, political activism at all levels, boycotts and other economic pressures. Multi-generational community. We have decades of experience creating and maintaining personal connections of caring and friendship that are open and inclusive across all categories of gender, race, age, ability, orientation, culture, etc. We also have firsthand experience of learning to apologize and what it takes to make amends and seek reconciliation. We have gained understandings of the shapes of personal well-being and life-giving relationships. A big story. Being rooted in a multi-thousand-year story helps give perspective to present experiences. We are not the first generation to fear there is no plausible future. Our big story helps us to avoid fear-mongering and false-hopes. Spiritual practices. Dealing with the pressures of everyday life, work, and family as well as global issues of the climate, war, and the economy can be a recipe for toxic stress and anxiety. We have experience with practices that help one stay centred and connected. A church that isn’t religious. The UCCan locates itself within the globally diverse and conflicted collective... Continue reading

This is what Advent is. In anticipation of Jesus arriving, we practice now how we expect to live then. The cycle of seasons Year A Advent 1 November 27, 2025 Sunday Between November 27 and December 3 Inclusive Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Matthew 24:36-44, The Message or Matthew 24:36-44, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Merry Christmas Everyone! Oops. I forgot. According to the Lectionary we're not supposed to sing carols or get all Christmassy until after the sun goes down on December 24. So just to get us the mood for celebrating Jesus' birth, we're gonna start with a few words from Jesus just before his death. Now I know there are sound liturgical and theological reasons for doing this. I also know there are excellent pastoral reasons for not doing this. And while it may be too late this year, check out my reasons for not following the lectionary with suggested alternate texts and candle lighting services. But for those staying with the Lectionary, it will probably be necessary to preface your sermon with something like: "Advent" means "arrival." And so the Season of Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation for the arrival of Jesus. But not just preparation and anticipation for celebrating the birth of Jesus... Continue reading

Peter's Denial Foretold The effect of Jesus foretelling of all that is about to happen is to take away the power of those who are acting by stealth and deceit. www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Once again, Jesus reveals that he knows what is about to befall him. And once again, the disciples vehemently deny it. Note that Jesus does not claim personal special ability to foresee future events. Rather he simply knows scripture; knows his disciples; and knows how the authorities are responding to his successful public challenging of them. The effect of Jesus foretelling of all that is about to happen is to take away the power of those who are acting by stealth and deceit. Jesus bested the religious elites in the open; and when they resort to secrecy, he outwits them again! Later, his followers will draw comfort and encouragement when they remember that when they were frightened and confused by what was happening to them - even then - Jesus was a rock - steadfast and unwavering. David Ewart, www.holytextures.com, Short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. Continue reading

Holy Saturday, Jesus Is Buried in a Tomb www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Below are my detailed comments on everything Mark has to say about Holy Saturday - the Sabbath day that lies between Good Friday, the day of Jesus' death, and Easter Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection. Mark says nothing. Mark 15:47 - Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. is folowed by, Mark 16:1 - When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Ponder and pray is my advice for this day. David Ewart, www.holytextures.com, Short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. Continue reading

It is women who witness the abject humiliation, degradation and torture of Jesus on the cross. It is women who hear him cry, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" It is women who witness his death. It is women who follow and witness where his body is placed. And so, fittingly, it is women who are the first witnesses of the empty tomb, and the first to receive the good news: He is risen! www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." After a week that began with a bit of non-violent civil disobedience - Jesus' mock "triumphant" entry into Jerusalem while Pilate was parading in on the other side of town - we have a completely different "entrance" from a completely different side of town. Having, for the first time in a long time, done a careful reading of Jesus' last week (thanks to Borg and Crossan), I have arrived at this day: exhausted by the courage Jesus showed; stupefied by the faithlessness of the twelve apostles; and thankful for the faithfulness of the named and unnamed women. It is women who witness the abject humiliation, degradation and torture of Jesus on the cross. It is women who hear him cry, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" It is women who witness his death. It is... Continue reading

Whatever system of government may currently be in power, God's Royal Proclamation comes as a Word that evokes an accounting from - and possibly a confrontation with - earthly rulers. And as Jesus simply observes: don't be led astray, earthly rulers never accept accounting kindly. There will be resistance. www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Chapter 13 is what is commonly called a "Final Discourse." As Malina and Rohrbaugh comment (page 206, see footnote below): What is distinctive about final words before death in the Mediterranean world (and elsewhere) is that the person about to die is believed capable of knowing what is going to happen to persons near and dear to him or her. These are not predictions about a far distant future, but a reading of the signs of Jesus' present times that is heightened by the dying person's approaching the humanly unknowable realm of the divine. Indeed, Jesus' words about the destruction of the Temple are stated as a simple fact. As happens frequently in Mark, a public teaching by Jesus is given a more detailed explanation in private - in this case to the 4 who were the first to be chosen as disciples. Let's see - this text talks about many who will falsely say, "I am he;" about being led astray; about wars and rumors... Continue reading

The widow who has given "all she had to live on" foreshadows the coming contribution of Jesus to his mission of proclaiming God's Good News of non-violent justice in the face of Rome's violent injustice. Like the widow, Jesus holds nothing back. www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Having successfully bested all challengers from the Jerusalem elites, Jesus now honourably moves to the offensive. However, as we move into the denunciation of these elites and the Temple, it is good to remember the Scribe we met earlier today whom Jesus praised with the high honour of being "not far from the Kingdom of God." Which is another way of remembering that what is being condemned is behaviour, and not a whole class of people. And of course, before we get wagging our fingers at these Scribes, we should also remember to examine our own behaviours first. Are there any among us who have felt entitled to be greeted with respect, to have our favourite seat in church or the honoured place at the potluck. Do any of us live in ways that impoverish others - while reciting long prayers? Let those without sin cast the first stone I say. Well, actually it was Jesus who said that. As Malina and Rohrbaugh note (see footnote below), Jesus has just condemned the Scribes... Continue reading

No one in that crowd of both opponents and admirers would dispute, "Love of God," as the greatest commandment. But when Jesus goes on and links it to, "Love of neighbour as oneself," he has lifted attachment to the welfare of one's neighbours above all other duties and obligations, including - gasp! - religious ones. www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." This week's text is the climax of a day of confrontation between Jesus and the religious authorities in Jerusalem. (See my comment, Jesus' Last Week - Tuesday - Post 1 of 4.) However, just in case we were writing off all religious elites as hard-hearted, unseeing opponents of Jesus, Mark ends the series of hostile questions with a scribe asking a genuine one. It is the narrator, Mark, who tells us that the scribe had been positively impressed by Jesus - "seeing that (Jesus) answered them well." We, the readers, should not gloss over this remarkable assessment of Jesus' honour by one of his opponents. The question the scribe asks, "Which commandment is the greatest of all," is similar to the one asked by the rich, young man. (Mark 10:17) The concern behind the question is how to lead a life of moral integrity. A concern that can only be answered by thorough - and wise - understanding and practical... Continue reading

The Bible doesn't tell us about Pilate parading in the main gate of Jerusalem, or what the crowd shouted, but you can bet it wasn't, "Blessed is the coming of the Kingdom of our ancestor David." That would be treason. And treason was punishable by? You guessed it, by execution on a cross. www.holytextures.com Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Mark 11:1-11, The Message or Mark 11:1-11, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). On this day in the life of Jesus, it is the beginning of the week in which Passover will be celebrated in Jerusalem. Passover is still celebrated by Jews to this day. Celebrated in synagogues, and most particularly in homes, where their salvation from slavery in Egypt is remembered and re-told: The hardship of our oppression. The calling of Moses to lead us to freedom and to a promised land, a land flowing with milk and honey. The repeated agreement - and then reneging - of the Pharaoh, until the tenth and final and most deadly of the plagues - the angel of death that killed all first born males - except for our homes where we had used the blood of a lamb to mark our door posts - those homes were passed over. The hurried preparations to be... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year A - Season of Lent and Holy Week - 2023 The 40 days of Lent actually do NOT include the Sundays. So the Sundays are referred to as being "in" Lent. For example, "Lent 2," means, "The second Sunday in Lent." This means the Sundays are always a mini-celebration of the resurrection - even in Lent. So, while we are preparing ourselves for the walk to Jerusalem and all that will happen during Holy Week, there is no need to pretend that we don't know about, and are not already celebrating, Jesus' resurrection. A close reading of the Holy Week texts and background information leaves me even more amazed at the courage of Jesus to voluntarily face the torture and humiliation of Roman execution on a cross, in order to remain faithful to God's calling - God's purpose - "this cup" - for him:... Continue reading

Matthew wants us to trust that ... God can and does protect, guide, warn, and keep alive from generation to generation the alternative Jesus-vision of what is really real: God is love and love is the only response that will ultimately end violence. Herod killed all the boys under 2 years of age Year A Christmas 1 January 1, 2023 Sunday between December 26 and January 1 inclusive And / Or Year A, B, C Holy Innocents December 28 Read the passage at the bottom of this post: Matthew 2:13-23, The Message or Matthew 2:13-23, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." It is difficult to be confident of the actual historicity of the events recorded in Matthew and Luke about the birth of Jesus. Like our own family stories, they are recalled by second and third generations as a way of informing responses to questions of their identity: Who are we? How did we get to be here? Who were our ancestors and how were their lives formed? What events in their lives resulted in us being the people we have become? What honour and mandate have we inherited from our ancestors? What honour and mandate must we bestow on our descendants? And so, whatever actually happened at the birth of Jesus is recalled and retold... Continue reading

Spirit given gifts are special abilities that God gives to every Christian to be used cooperatively for the strengthening of the Body of Christ so that it might better fulfill God's purposes. Learning what our Gifts are - and are not - can bring clarity of purpose and meaning for our lives. Knowing what our gifts are not can ease feelings of failure and frustration. Acknowledging our limitations and seeking support from others who have gifts we do not have frees us to focus on our strengths, on the gifts we do have. Going where our gifts are takes us to the place where the giver of those gifts, God, is closest to us in our lives. Our skills may not be our gifts. When we are using our gifts, we may end the day feeling tired, but we will also feel deeply satisfied. But if our skills are not also our gifts, then we will simply end the day feeling tired and drained. This Descriptions Booklet - PDF and Questionnaire Booklet - PDF will help you begin to identify your Spirit Given Gifts. Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and thought-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year A - Season of Lent and Holy Week - 2023 The 40 days of Lent actually do NOT include the Sundays. So the Sundays are referred to as being "in" Lent. For example, "Lent 2," means, "The second Sunday in Lent." This means the Sundays are always a mini-celebration of the resurrection - even in Lent. So, while we are preparing ourselves for the walk to Jerusalem and all that will happen during Holy Week, there is no need to pretend that we don't know about, and are not already celebrating, Jesus' resurrection. A close reading of the Holy Week texts and background information leaves me even more amazed at the courage of Jesus to voluntarily face the torture and humiliation of Roman execution on a cross, in order to remain faithful to God's calling - God's purpose - "this cup" - for him: To proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and faith-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to anyone; ever. Year A - Season of Epiphany - 2023 I'm never sure when to send out this Holy Textures update preparing for Epiphany. The malls are already playing Christmas carols. And worship planners are busy with all the preparations for Advent and the celebrations of Christmas Eve and Day. Who has time or energy to give any thought to Epiphany! That is so next year. But the gift of time is that it is so steady, so reliable. It neither rushes nor procrastinates. And. Like all epiphanies, January 6 will arrive whether we are ready or not. My prayer is that Holy Textures will help you find whatever space and place you need to continue to let the light of The Holy One's grace, peace, and love find a home in your heart. Blessings to you and those you love. This year, the Season of Epiphany is 7 Sundays, which makes it almost as long as... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and faith-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to anyone; ever. Year A - Seasons of Advent and Christmas - 2022 Below you will find links for the various Lectionary readings for Advent and Christmas, but I have stopped using the Lectionary during Advent (and Lent as well). Why? It seems to me that in this day and age you can never tell the story of the first Christmas (or Easter) early enough or often enough. It is far better to begin with the story we are trying to tell - Christmas - and then provide the historical context along the way. Starting with the historical / theological / history of salvation has the unintentional effect of making the story we are wanting to tell seem like nothing more than a foretold, logical conclusion - a prepared script for actors on a stage - and not the flesh and blood seizing - or passing up - actual in-the-moment opportunities for God's will to be on earth... Continue reading

This prayer helps me prepare for Sunday's prayers. Perhaps it will also speak to you. -------------------- www.holytextures.com David Ewart, www.holytextures.com, Short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Gracious Love, in whom we live and move and have our being, Teach us how to pray as you would have us pray: bring to mind what you would have us remember, and give us the words to pray for what is needed. Help us to feel your presence which is always with us. Help us to trust that the words we use to offer our gratitudes and concerns are adequate, and help us to trust that if we have no words, and can only offer groans, or silence, or smiles that your Spirit lifts these to you in all of their fulness. Help us to trust that we feel called to pray, so that we can tell you what is in our hearts and minds; and, help us to trust that you also call us to pray so that your Spirit moving within us helps us to see as you see; to love as you love; giving us the words to say what needs to be made real for the good... Continue reading

Gracious Love, in whom we live and move and have our being, Teach us how to pray as you would have us pray: bring to mind what you would have us remember, and give us the words to pray for what is needed. Help us to feel your presence which is always with us. Help us to trust that the words we use to offer our gratitudes and concerns are adequate, and help us to trust that if we have no words, and can only offer groans, or silence, or smiles that your Spirit lifts these to you in all of their fulness. Help us to trust that we feel called to pray, so that we can tell you what is in our hearts and minds; and, help us to trust that you also call us to pray so that your Spirit moving within us helps us to see as you see; to love as you love; giving us the words to say what needs to be made real for the good of all. Help us to trust that we are not the only one offering the prayers that are needed this day. Help us to feel the presence of others in this room and across this land who are also praying. Lifting up gratitudes; lifting up concerns. Help us to feel our connection as part of the whole – so much larger than each of us alone. Help us... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and faith-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year C - Season After Pentecost, September to November - 2022 How does our Christian story help us to respond to the various crisis - personal, political, economic, and climate - that our planet is facing these days? This is not the first time that followers of Jesus have felt they were entering cataclysmic social and political turmoil. My prayer is that Holy Textures will help you uncover and live trustworthy, clear-eyed, non-anxious, compassionate hope that is worthy of God's unwavering justice-seeking-love for this beautiful world. And for those of you who like to plan ahead - Christmas Day is a Sunday this year. David Ewart Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." When you give a banquet, invite the poor Pentecost 12 August 28, 2022 Luke 14:1, 7-14 "This is what Jesus is teaching / proclaiming... Continue reading

www.holytextures.com David Ewart, www.holytextures.com, Short, easy to use, faith inspiring explanations of the meaning of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for your sermon, homily, bible study, or reflection. Permission is granted for non-profit use of these materials. Acknowledgement in oral presentations is not required. Otherwise, please acknowledge source as, "David Ewart, www.holytextures.com." Background In 1978, in my final interview to determine if I would be recommended for ordination to the Ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care in the United Church of Canada, I was asked to share my understanding of the Trinity. There was a long pause after I replied, “It’s all a mystery to me.” Apparently the committee was expecting a more fulsome answer. But evidently my answer was sufficient for the occasion, and I was ordained “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” And for the next 40 years, “mystery” was my default answer whenever I was asked to comment on this bedrock Christian teaching. But in my old age, and after helpful exposure to teachings and critiques from feminists, Indigenous wisdom holders, historians of Western ideas / culture / class, Process theologians and others engaged with contemporary Western science, I am ready to make a stab at offering that more fulsome response. And trusting that I will still be honouring “the name”. Before I Begin But before I begin, let me briefly lay out a few underlying assumptions I am making. Christians don’t... Continue reading

I have abandoned my first take on this post. For one thing, there are at least as many ways to be an atheist as there are to be a Scottish Presbyterian. And my initiative for writing is not to argue with atheism - nor Presbyterianism - in all their many forms. My goad is to write about what still nags at the "faith" I seem to still have. I am also today weighed down by the news of the slaughter of 19 children and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas. What, in the name of a trustworthy, good, God can one say? I wonder how I would re-present Jesus at any of these funerals. What could one say that wouldn't be offensive; not be off the mark. (Learning how not to be like Job's friends is a start.) Let's begin by remembering that Christians do not believe in God. Christians do not believe in a singularity; they believe in a Community; a foundational Threesome that underlies and infuses all realities. If there is a "god", that "god" is relationship; not a separate, single, self. And, if there is a "god" who is relationship, Christians assert that this relationship is epitomized by love. Love that holds nothing back. Love that is totally committed to the good of the other. Love that gives with no strings attached. Love that has no pre-conditions. Love that never forgets; never looses attention; never... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and faith-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year C - Season After Pentecost, From Trinity Sunday to the End of August - 2022 Easter was late this year, so the first three readings are not used this year. These are shown as Pentecost NN. Note that in Pentecost, the Sundays are numbered as "after" Pentecost Sunday. So the first Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, is Pentecost 1. And I know that Pentecost Sunday is the final Sunday of the Season of Easter, but I've included it here just to get us started. The Season After Pentecost is long. It occurs over many local seasons, anniversaries, and events that our communities celebrate. It will also occur over many unplanned, unexpected, unpredictable surprises - some of them welcome, some of them disruptive and unsettling. We are fortunate then to find ourselves about to be immersed in stories about ancestors who lived through these same experiences. My prayer is that Holy Textures will help... Continue reading

2023 marks the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the school that would eventually become Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute. A reunion is planned for April 21-23, 2023. Check the Alum Facebook page for news. (I'll repost things here as I... Continue reading

Holy Textures is a spot for my musings on the various Biblical texts that come our way through the Revised Common Lectionary. My goal is to provide timely, short, easy to use and faith-provoking background commentary for your sermon or bible study preparation. By entering your email and clicking "Subscribe," you can receive all new posts by email. You will only receive new posts, nothing else - no spam, nada, zip. Your information will not be shared or sold in any way to any one; ever. Year C - Season of Easter - 2022 I frequently forget that the Bible is NOT focused on my personal beliefs or feelings. Jesus was NOT sent here to be a life coach (as important as finding guidance for our lives is). The message of Easter is NOT life overcomes death; love overcomes hate; joy overcomes fear. The Bible is focused on relationships. On right relationships. And healthy communities. The message of Easter is that we can trust the Good News which Jesus proclaimed: Repent. The Kin_dom of God is at hand. The tyrants of this world keep trying to kill the hope that another way is possible. I wonder how our communities will respond to the Good News that the hope revealed in Jesus' can be trusted. Can be trusted enough that we can already start living now for the new way of "heaven on earth." And resisting the ways of the tyrants.... Continue reading