Category Archives: religion

So that they may all be one.

Posted on May 11, 2013 by

Teaching church history, I always feel a little pang when I get to the part of the story when I have to give this speech: You know how we have been talking about the followers of Jesus as Christians? Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in history, lectionary, religion, Scripture | Leave a comment

When we don’t like the Gospel: on burying the Boston Marathon bomber

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

By all accounts, Peter Stefan has been going about his business of burying the dead for a long time, with little attention outside of Worcester, MA. Now the funeral director is at the center of a controversy because the body … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, news, religion | 8 Comments

Whoever loves me will keep my word

Posted on May 4, 2013 by

This weekend’s readings drag us deeper into the details of the acts of the Apostles. My guess is that most of us don’t actually listen to nitty-gritty of these passages, and walk away vaguely remembering something about Paul and Barnabas … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary, religion, Scripture | Leave a comment

Children of Eternity: the Boston Prays Together interfaith prayer service

Posted on April 18, 2013 by

I was proud of so many things while watching the prayer service in response to the Boston marathon bombing. I was proud of my city, proud of its leaders, proud of its faith community, proud of its artists, and proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, faith, news, prayer, religion, theology | 2 Comments

Should I be shocked by Westboro Baptist?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

The folks at Westboro Baptist think I’m going to hell, and I’m OK with that. This is simply based on my membership in the Satanic cult known as the Roman Catholic Church, but they could probably find another reason to … Continue reading →

Posted in news, politics, religion | 9 Comments

Five reasons I observe Lent (and two non-reasons)

Posted on March 22, 2013 by

Last weekend’s NYT article about why many people who don’t affiliate with a religion have jumped on the Lenten bandwagon got me thinking: it’s been a while since I posted one of my Great Defenses of Lenten Commitments. It’s time … Continue reading →

Posted in liturgical calendar, religion | 5 Comments

A surprising reason a Jesuit Pope could be good for the Society of Jesus

Posted on March 18, 2013 by

In my many years at Jesuit institutions I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard Ignatian  spirituality described as social justice and intellectual curiosity without any of that pesky “Catholic stuff” weighing it down. I imagine poor Iggy spinning … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, news, religion, saints, theology | 2 Comments

Seven ways the conclave was counter-cultural

Posted on March 15, 2013 by

Most people feel at some point like they’re swimming upstream culturally. Often our family values, religious observance, or life experience puts us at odds with this thing called “culture”, which increasingly is synonymous with “whatever the corporate media is trying to sell … Continue reading →

Posted in history, news, religion | 12 Comments

Habemus Papam

Posted on March 13, 2013 by

I spent most of the day scared I was going to do excitement wrong. Life is sprinkled with unforgettable moments. We often remember exactly where we were when big news happened or was announced. Since we knew this papal announcement … Continue reading →

Posted in news, religion | 6 Comments

Seven Reasons I Love Being Catholic

Posted on March 1, 2013 by

Would that I were a papal scholar and could write a brilliant post on the sede vacante. Instead, I’ll stick with the Catholic theme and tell you a few of the reasons I love being Catholic 1. My family I … Continue reading →

Posted in family, history, liturgy, music, religion | 2 Comments