The following is a midrash on the Genesis 1 Creation story, with the understanding that these verses are clear examples of merisms in the Hebrew language. God… as they hovered over the watery chaos… commands silence from the deep. And on the first day, God called into being lightness to darkness, creating everything from Lightening… Read More
A PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION for a Nation celebrating Freedom (based on Galatians 5) Forgive us, O God, for how easily we forget that freedom in Christ binds us to love both enemy and neighbor, and calls us to welcome the stranger and alien among us. We too easily fall into the trap of assuming our… Read More
I had the privilege of preaching at Colonial Church in Edina for Pentecost Sunday yesterday May 23, 2021. The full service is here:
I wrote this responsive litany for our upcoming prayer vigil marking the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, and praying for a world where violence can end. Feel free to use it with acknowledgements in any worship service where is might seem relevant. MOVE US TOWARD BLESSEDNESS (A Responsive Litany based on The Beatitudes… Read More
We still live in a broken world; and we must continue to work for the vision of the reign of God. Read More
It was not a hard assignment. Eight to ten sentences of the seventh grade version of an argumentative thesis. Decide whether the statue of Robert E. Lee in Richmond should stay or should go. An article to read and a video to watch. Both sides clearly presented. I listen to my son and his friends… Read More
Yesterday, these words came to me through email. They came from my former seminary professor and the Artistic Director of the Penumbra Theatre, Sarah Bellamy. I was so struck by these words, I sat with them all day long. I ponder those of us who get to use our vulnerability as a shield, and those… Read More
No angry mobs now, Holy God, Screaming “crucify!” It is not anger, but distress, we see in your faces, the faces that we watch over and over and over again. Distress because you stand and bear witness to the suffering that makes us turn away. We turn the channel, put off the screen, say we… Read More
A light that bright radiates the Holy. Not meant for earthly realms A light that bright Shines beyond eternity. And now returning to the stellate sun We remain basking in luminous presence Forever changed By a light that bright. And having glimpsed such A brilliant fire Let us turn now To God, and to one… Read More
This past Sunday, March 7th, I had the privilege to be the guest preacher at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, MN. You can listen to my meditation on Jesus turning the tables in the temple (John 2: 13-25) here: THE COURAGE TO BE ANGRY
You noticed, and you named it. Over the season, he started to lose his spark. I am profoundly grateful that you noticed the change. You even encouraged him… “if basketball is not your thing, maybe something else…” You had no way to know, it’s not about the game. It’s about learning how to live… Read More
(This is a retelling of the story of the Tower of Babel, which is found in the Bible in Genesis 11:1-9) Long ago, when the human race was young And all the people spoke the same language, The humans decided to build a city between two rivers where they could all live together, With a… Read More
What are we willing to leave behind for the sake of greater discipleship?
Read More
I have said many, many times before: one of the most important things I learned in seminary was that during Ancient Biblical times, people did not have an understanding of emotions. And that means that when the Bible says “love” it is not talking about an emotional response. (Thank you, again, Professor Brink.) So when… Read More
Whenever a life is lost, there is a victim. Victim status is not debatable. Read More
(Caveat: if you have lost a loved one this past year — whether to covid or suicide or just old age — this post may not be for you, and may seem callous in the face of deep and abiding grief.) When I remember back to January 2020 — the New Year of a new… Read More
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son…” Read More
… what has come into being was life, and the life was the true enlightenment of all people… Read More
Cathy Mia Kolwey