Oaks of Mamre

  A reflection on Matthew 9.1-8, Christ heals a paralytic   Not long ago our daughter was learning to drive. She could not wait to get her license! She dreamed of the day when she would be able to just hop in a car and go wherever she needed to go, on her terms, in her timing with utter freedom. But there were a couple hurdles in front of her. One, in Kentucky, you have to have 60 hours of driving practice with an adult after you get your temps. Also, her mother and I - tyrants that we are! - required that all of our children go to driving school. This required a $500 investment that she would have to make from her own funds not to mention the extra time and effort required. At one point when we were practicing, she said to me, exasperated, “It just feels like I’m never going to be able to drive!” I tried to explain to her that she was actually really close. She had her temps. She had already completed 50 hours of her required 60. And her driving school h...

  I vividly remember when I first started attending Divine Liturgy.  One of the most powerful moments in the Liturgy for me each week was when we would sing, “Now, lay aside all earthly cares.” Slowly. Methodically, Repeatedly... One particular Sunday, I was going through a very difficult season at my work. I came to Liturgy with loads of cares, dragging me down. It felt like water rising up to my chin that I couldn't stop. I felt completely immobilized by my cares. And as someone who struggles with claustrophobia, feeling immobile and under threat is the most terrifying metaphor I can imagine! Then came, “Now, lay aside all earthly cares.” I had the thought: This is a real invitation! I am being invited to literally lay aside all earthly cares, even the ones I had no idea how to resolve… No! Especially the ones which seemed insurmountable and unanswerable. So, I did. And in that moment I encountered the Living God who invites us to “cast our cares on Him for...