Graduation Day for Laura Freeze

I still remember the night we learned our grandson had cancer. The phone call woke us sometime after midnight. Our son was in tears, still at the hospital, barely able to speak the words, much less absorb their impact.Fear and trembling overcame all of us in the weeks...

When I graduated from college, I thought I wanted to become a college professor. I took two years off and taught English in South Korea. I learned a lot about the teaching profession—including that I do not like giving grades.I didn’t mind grading papers, noting what...

From the Archives: November 2, 1955To know that the power behind the universe, the Lord of Creation, cares for us so much that he will suffer for us, and that he has put all his power in pledge to win and redeem us—that is the source of our abiding joy.....(View this...

It’s hard for most of us to understand the enormous cultural gap between Jews and Gentiles in Jesus’ day. Tax collectors were condemned for collaborating with the Romans—but not just for working with political oppressors. The condemnation was also for associating with...

Have you ever heard of the Sasanian Empire? How about the Chola Dynasty? Know anything about the Empire of Trebizond? All of these ancient realms were more powerful than Israel ever was, yet they have been mostly forgotten in modern history.Tiny, relatively powerless...

I love the humor in this line! Sirach admonishes us not to gossip—but he does much more. He offers us many practical suggestions in today’s reading.We all share stories—that’s how we form bonds, strengthen communities, and claim what we stand for. Yet, told...

There’s no question that Christianity is facing some serious challenges in the public sphere in the United States. As at other times in history, people in power have co-opted Christ for their own ends.Paul gives us a recipe for a radically different approach, much...