Happy New Year

Thank you, dear readers, for the past year. My hope and desire for us all is to experience in new ways the Great Mercy of God in the new year. I wish you peace and happiness in 2013.

St. Stephen's Day, Boxing Day

"The Son of Man came eating and drinking . . . " Here (Matthew, if I recall correctly) Jesus contrasts himself with the ascetic John the Baptist. Note that Jesus doesn't disavow John's practice, or that of his disciples. But he does contrast himself with them. Something to consider during this time of feasting . ..

Christmas

A peaceful, happy feast of the Nativity to all. Thank you for reading me this year. I hope to have more for you to read in the new year.

fortunate

I will never forget an episode that happened during my doctoral studies. One day, as one other doctoral student and I were comparing the Ethiopic and Syriac versions of one of the Parables of Enoch, our professor (James Vanderkam, of Book of Jubilees fame) stopped our discussion suddenly and remarked to us, "Do you realize how fortunate we are to be able to be doing this?"

Although it made an impression on me at the time, its import has only deepened through the years.

a habit of mind and heart

One way to define practical theology is that it is rigorous theological reflection on what the church does. As such, it draws on the full range of theological disciplines available, as well as disciplines outside the theological sciences.

It is also, I think, a habit of mind (and heart) necessary for anyone to learn who desires to work in the church.