The Gospel reading contains a story of Jesus and some folks who were looking at the Jerusalem Temple. It reminded me of a group of tourists visiting Washington DC, and commenting about one of the many monuments and memorials, “My isn’t this impressive and lovely.” Jesus responded to them, not that the temple wasn’t these things, but that, as lovely and impressive as it was, that “the days would come when not one stone will be left upon another, all will be thrown down.” That must have sounded almost irreligious and unpatriotic. It led Jesus to talk about two separate,… Continue reading →

Well, the day after tomorrow is election day. Some say it’s the most important election in a century (or ever!?). I think many of us have been overwhelmed by the unprecedented negativity, personal attacks, general nastiness and lack of civility in the last months. I also think that many of us are at least as worried about what happens next, with the possibility of violence at the polls and later. We hear rumours that, already plans are afoot in Washington to make the next President’s term unpleasant and difficult. And, so, the gridlock with which we ended will be that… Continue reading →