We stood overlooking a craggy, yet serene countryside that embraced the Sea of Galilee at its border. The slope is known as הר האושר (har ha-osher) or the Mount of Beatitudes, traditionally considered to be the location Jesus delivered his life-altering Sermon on the Mount. Though the scene was not … ∞
“Ethnically ambiguous.” I have adopted this short phrase to describe my appearance. Most people in West Michigan cannot identify my ethnicity without asking. Really, I am the love product of a brown Dominican daddy and a fair-skinned Puerto Rican mom. You can see that in my own caramel skin, dark … ∞
I expected to meet Jesus on our study tour to Israel-Palestine this past January. Not like the Samaritan woman at the well. Not like Paul on the road to Damascus. Certainly not like Lazarus emerging from his tomb. But, I expected that in the land where Jesus was born, travelled, … ∞
I expected to meet Jesus on our study tour to Israel-Palestine this past January. Not like the Samaritan woman at the well. Not like Paul on the road to Damascus. Certainly not like Lazarus emerging from his tomb. But, I expected that in the land where Jesus was born, traveled, … ∞
Snow and long lines at security checkpoints greeted us as we started our 13-day Taste and See Israel course with Professors Sarah Schreiber and Amanda Benckhuysen, while some of us carried with us exhaustion and lingering flu symptoms. These were the realities juxtaposed against the incredible reality of visiting the … ∞
I have never read a book as raw and as real as Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. While it is only 152 pages in length, it took me over a month to complete the book from cover to cover. I had to put the book down … ∞
On February 27, at Calvin College, I had the opportunity to see a theatre production titled, This Is My Body. In the format of verbatim theatre the play script was a mosaic constructed of word for word interactions by an interviewer and the interviewees. The interviews were reflective of … ∞
*The following are journal reflections from Brendan’s visit to Israel. People Near to Me I grew up in a culture disengaged with the larger world. The sports page in the Sunday paper explored the outermost parts of my earth. The liturgies I grew into never included prayers of peace for … ∞
I (Josiah) have read from the Beatitudes many times. It seems to me to be a picture of God’s coming kingdom here on earth. The poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom. The earth will be given to the meek. Those who mourn will be comforted. It gives the reader … ∞
*Kintsukuroi: (n.) (v.phr.)“to repair with gold”; the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer and understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken. Dear you, You of the fair skin and see-through eyes, You of the towering stature and dreams’ surprise, You from the … ∞
Yes, there is more to the Sermon on the Mount than just the Beatitudes! Jesus’ lengthy discourse, found in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6:17-49, addresses several aspects and concerns of Christian life and ethics, from prayer to the problem of false prophets, which are applicable even for us, some 2000 … ∞
