short musings and podcast transcripts

Our church community has a long-standing tradition of singing patriotic songs on or around Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, and the Fourth of July, so we weren’t surprised when a parishioner asked me and my music-minister husband just which such song we would be singing this past Sunday, but we were conflicted. For a while now,…

Today at mass, we heard the story of the birth of John the Baptist, and it’s a story we’ve heard many times before. John’s parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are told they will be parents in their old age, and while Elizabeth believes, Zechariah laughs. Immediately, Zechariah loses his voice, and he remains without speech for…

I used to be like Lucy, from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. I used to tell everyone about the magical land that I had visited, where the impossible was possible, and how everything was tinged with wonder. And when my story was done, I’d invite them to come with me next time. Actually,…