Advent begins the Christian calendar, which is the way Christians mark time. Advent starts the annual march through time by naming all that’s wrong in us and this world, connecting us to deep hopes and longings that remain unfulfilled. Advent is a season for broken hearts. We take stock of our broken world, recognizing all… Continue reading The Decemberists and Advent
I’m a follower of one who began his life as an asylum seeker. I’m a member of a family of faith whose history stretches back to Abraham, and is summarized in refugee terms: “my father was a wandering Aramean.” The God who has called me has this penchant of binding up his life with those… Continue reading The refugee crisis: make it personal
I hate that I had to tuck my kids into the darkness of a terrible world this weekend. I could see fear creep over them as they witnessed the dark hearts of men drunk with hatred, propelled by the power of distorted ideas. It broke my heart to see them instinctively gather extra blankets, trying… Continue reading Pour mes cher enfants
In Canada, we know the old, old story well. It’s a story we love to tell because we know its true. It’s the secular story, of how religion is finally the casualty of the forward march of human enlightenment, ushering us into a non-religious, bias-free and objective space to live. It's a story hummed in… Continue reading A little light on a quiet life of faith
Did you hear this one: “two gods walk into a Toronto bar ...” The makings of a bad joke right? Add in talking dogs and it gets even worse. Scooby-doo meets Percy Jackson. Thankfully, Giller Prize short-listed Fifteen Dogs is none of this but rather a inventive, thoughtful wisdom romp (it’s an apologue - think… Continue reading Augustine for the dog park
God of good order, government is your gift through which you rule earthly life. And on this election day in Canada we begin in the place of gratitude - there is so much to thank you for despite the flaws of this campaign. Thank you for the goodness of this country you’ve placed us in;… Continue reading An election day prayer
In Canada, we’re days away from electing a shiny, new federal government (U.S. friends, you’re pretty much always in an election cycle so this post likely connects with you too). My wife and I were talking about the dilemma of voting in this next, or any, election. Looking over the different party platforms, Betty was… Continue reading A dual citizen’s voters guide
Spring finally showed up in Toronto. And along with it, the cherry blossoms in High Park, a week-long canopy of blossoms. The park was packed with people guzzling in Spring, creation's bacchanalia of juice and joy. Spring - Gerard Manley Hopkins Nothing is so beautiful as Spring – When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely… Continue reading All this juice and joy
That was some fire my brother stoked up during our Thanksgiving camping weekend.
A few weeks ago Pope Frances canonized two pontifical predecessors, Paul XXIII and John-Paul II. The whole process of making saints is a fascinating subject that many Christians have long had a strong aversion, almost an allergic reaction, to any notion of saints. That response is rooted in the real allergens of saint abuses. The… Continue reading Saints? Maybe (part 1)
Squinch 