And Jesus Said, “Once Upon a Time…”
When Jesus taught, he didn’t speak in outlines. He didn’t say, “There are four kinds of humility.” Or, “Prayer has three parts.” Or, “Here are ten keys to success.” No, he taught by saying, “Once upon a time.” He said, “Once upon a time there was a man who had two sons…” And “Once upon a time a sower went out to sow his seed.” And “Once upon a time a man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” In other words, Jesus often taught by telling stories. (more…)
Let's Thank Our Altar Servers
If you attend Mass regularly, you are familiar with altar servers, those individuals (often children and teenagers, but sometimes adults) who assist the priest with the liturgy. They perform a wonderful service, yet sometimes we take them for granted. In today’s post, I’d like to give a little history of altar servers—including the practice of having female servers. I’ll conclude with an interview of a real, live 12-year-old altar server named Alex. (more…)
Let’s Thank Our Altar Servers
If you attend Mass regularly, you are familiar with altar servers, those individuals (often children and teenagers, but sometimes adults) who assist the priest with the liturgy. They perform a wonderful service, yet sometimes we take them for granted. In today’s post, I’d like to give a little history of altar servers—including the practice of having female servers. I’ll conclude with an interview of a real, live 12-year-old altar server named Alex. (more…)
Slowing Down for Advent
The other morning as I was rushing to get my breakfast, I spilled the whole bowl of Cheerios onto the kitchen floor. Luckily I hadn’t poured the milk in yet. As I was cleaning up the mess, I had a little talk with myself. “Why in the world are you rushing, Melannie?” “Me? Rushing?” “Yes, you! Rushing!” I said. The truth was I hadn’t even realized I was rushing until the bowl flipped out of my hands. (more…)
The Gift of Fallow Time
When I ministered with the Jesuits in Detroit in the 90’s, I made regular trips between Detroit and Cleveland where my family and religious congregation were. Whenever I did, I was always amazed at all the farmland I saw in northwestern Ohio. For miles and miles, on both sides of the turnpike, flat fields stretched as far as the eye could see. In summer these fields burgeoned with green crops, mostly corn and soybeans. But in the fall, after the harvest, these same fields were brown and bare, plowed up and lying fallow. (more…)
