Contrasts
A psalmist’s implicit yet incisive criticism of the king.
Jesus Loves Solar Power
What source of energy is abundant, available everywhere on earth, and can’t be hoarded or monopolized?
The Hands-Together Moment
Spend some time in the present moment: no past, no future, just gratitude.
First Step on a Journey to Justice
The Apostle Paul was not an abolitionist—except this once.
Satire Sunday
Making someone or something look ridiculous is never a nice thing to do—but sometimes, it’s the right thing to do.
Pascal’s Fire
The candles we use in church are more than just the comforting flicker of our religious tradition.
A Trustworthy Financial Adviser
Where can you turn for trustworthy financial advice? Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool has a suggestion.
The Lord’s Prayer
The words of the Lord’s Prayer—and the hidden ask.
The Dark Night
Have you ever felt like God was far away? So have I.
The Dark Night (I Miss You, My Friend)
Hello, Merry Mystics! Here’s a song that’s more mystical than merry.
This Sunday, I’m teaching my congregation about St. John of the Cross. We’ll read his poem “The Dark Night,” and I’ll summarize some of his extensive commentary about the “dark night of the soul.” I think most of us have had times when God feels distant—I know I have. (So did Jesus, according to the crucifixion stories in Mark and Matthew. And so did the author(s) of a number of the Psalms, like 10, 22, and 34.)
Anyway, I wrote this song to go with that teaching.
Well, actually, it sounds sort of rational when I put it that way, but the truth is that the idea for the song came to me first, out of the blue, while I was looking out the window on a flight at the start of a week’s vacation. When I got home again, I planned the sermon to go with the song.
The song is called “The Dark Night (I Miss You, My Friend)”. I’ll put sheet music for it in our Free Stuff area.