Spirituality

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

“I’m sorrrryyy!”

That is a phrase we hear very commonly, sincerely or no. Many times public figures who put foot-in-mouth and then instantly criticized on social media become concerned about having offended (or perhaps about loss of revenue, or votes) and showily beg forgiveness, whether actually sorry or not. More universally are the missteps in we commoners’ lives—forget a birthday or anniversary, break something of value, etc. Yet when wronged the good person seeks to be merciful and give the other the benefit of the doubt, yet we’ve all also been burnt by our good intentions Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Almost every day there seems to be a new “hate group” condemned by those who oppose what that group stands for. But if you claim that everyone who opposes your own opinion is “hating”, then who is the true “hater”? And if you claim “hate” for every opinion or stand against your own, then how will you ever consider possible errors in your own position? That’s why criticism can be very helpful: if utilized rather than discarded out of hand, it forces us to reassess, consider other viewpoints, and perhaps refine what and why we believe.

That’s why the phrase “settled science” is somewhat Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Associate Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By The Rev. Nicolé Raddu Ferry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Los Alamos

A Blessing for “When Church Breaks Your Heart” by Dr. Kate Bowler

“Blessed are you standing among the ruins of a family of faith that once felt so sturdy, now turned to dust under your feet.
The certainty you once had, gone. The community you loved, dissipated.
The hope you held dear, hard to find.
Instead, what’s taken up residence is the very stuff that seems counter to what you imagined: Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Wealth and prestige tend to be the favorite things of most people; after all, wealth brings, if not happiness, at least (apparent) security and comfort. And prestige brings influence and admiration. Of course, many go way overboard in seeking these things—often criminally, whether the actions are legal or not. One might remember the Gospel parable (Luke 16) of poor Lazarus, in which the rich man apparently just stepped over the starving and ailing Lazarus who was laying at his gate. If not legally criminal, that’s certainly morally criminal.

Now, in the Sunday Catholic Mass Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Hmmm … a couple of weeks ago we were looking at a potential coup d’état in Russia, and this weekend (7/1) we’re witnessing all sorts of uprising and rioting in France—just as we’re coming up to Bastille Day on July 14, no less. Well, it IS summer, after all—the favored time for such things. But, in violation of Newton’s law, such action results in an opposite yet unequal reaction—oppression, violent quelling of riots, sometimes curfews and even martial law, depending upon the humanity and morality of governments involved, as well as the determination and resources of Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By Reverend Lynn Finnegan
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith
Santa Fe

In my former life as a practicing lawyer, I would sometimes cringe at lawyer jokes. For sure, many of the jokes make me laugh and I don’t deny a lot of aspects of legal practice are ripe for a little humor. What made me cringe, however, was the stereotype promoted – a “lawyer persona” of greed and dishonesty that, for sure, was justified for more than a few lawyers, but not all. And it Read More