January 6, Patriotism and Biblical Faith Is there any biblical justification for patriotism? No. None whatsoever.
Unearthed Graves and Thrown-Down Stones: The Church, Pedicide, and Recompense. From the slaughter of the innocents to the destruction of the temple follows the same trajectory as the pedicide of Residential Schools and the burning of churches. Religion wedded to empire is always a story of violence.
Genocide, Domicide and the Unnamed We know the names of the victims in London. We can know the names of the victims in Gaza. But we do not know the names of the 215.
Holy Week and the March for our Lives For these kids it is already Holy Saturday. The crucifixion has already happened and their friends are in the ground. But they did not run away. They marched on Washington.
Imagining Healed Daughters It's tough to be a woman. But, the reason why I find the Jesus-story we share in this room so compelling is how radically different he was in the world. Every small step towards healing requires someone releasing power. Jesus is willing to give up power in this exchange.
Beyond Smugness: The Beatitudes Again If we can be smug about this radical teaching of Jesus, then we demonstrate in our very smugness that we don’t get it.
Terror No More: Psalm 9/10 and a terrible week in Canada God’s judgement cuts through the deceit and names evil violence for what it is, whether on Parliament Hill in the hands of a man bent on murder, or on Parliament Hill in legislation that excludes the refugee, despoils the earth, and favours the rich.
Psalm 137, Exile and Rocket Launchers Songs of home, songs of hope, songs that keep a faith alive, are defiled and profaned when they become the trivial entertainment of voyeuristic oppressors.
Anti-Terrorism: Let’s get serious! Let’s talk about two bills that have been before the Parliament of Canada.
Hell Fire at Christmas! by Brian Walsh For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
We are waiting by Jamie Howison [A sermon preached at st. benedict’s table, Winnipeg, on the third Sunday of Advent] Every so often life throws the preacher a curve ball, such that the sermon written on Friday morning no longer speaks to the realities of Sunday evening.
The Tree Died of Grief (Epiphany Late, but still on time) by Brian Walsh Some years ago I was in Guatemala with a group of students that I was teaching in the Creation Care Studies Program in Belize.
Pacing the Cage: The Prophetic Hope of Bruce Cockburn by Brian Walsh Republished with permission from www.huffingtonpost.com Sunset is an angel weeping Holding out a bloody sword No matter how I squint I cannot Make out what it’s pointing toward These lines, from Bruce Cockburn’s hauntingly beautiful song “Pacing the Cage,” have been my constant companions as I have been reflecting on the year that was and the year that is to come.
On Duct Tape, Swords and Ploughshares by Brian Walsh I need a new Bible. Some of you have seen my Bible at Wine Before Breakfast or in my office.