They aren’t really diamonds. Not the type of diamonds mined from deep within the earth. These ones wash up on the beach. The Cape May diamonds that I found while beach combing on the Jersey shore shown in the picture above just spent a few months in various stages of being tumbled in my rock tumbler at home. They will be shared with our students who are making Affirmation of their Baptism this weekend. Reflecting on diamonds (no pun intended) I considered all the ways that we use the word diamond- from a suit of playing cards, the stars shining in the night, the Beatles song about Lucy, to “diamonds in the rough” as someone whose inner characteristics or beauty has yet to fully shine throug

In the comedy Talladega Nights with Will Ferrel, the race car driver Ricky Bobby has a famous line, “if you’re not first- you’re last”. Highlighting the absurdity of competition and self-promotion and the way one can be compelled to do just about anything to win there are many funny one-liners in that movie. All those desires to be the best are turned upside down. Reading this weekend’s gospel Mark 10:35-45 where James and John ask Jesus to be seated one at his right hand and one at his left I was reminded of that movie. They really don't know what they are asking for. It makes it seem like after all this time with Jesus they really don't understand who he is or what he came to do in the w

​ Lose hustling for your value Lose trying to impress people Lose struggling to get others approval Lose self-righteousness Lose self-reliance Lose trying to save yourself Lose the fear that gets in the way of living freely Lose needing to be “large and in charge” Lose trusting your safety and worth is in what you possess Lose the life that is an upward climb to proving your worth Lose the chains that bind you Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospe

…I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2 Today, October 4, is the feast of St. Francis. On Saturday October 6 at 5pm we will have a blessing of animals. The picture above is of my Maltese/poodle mix dog, Dobby* who sits here beside me as I write. He has been such a blessing. The unconditional love, the excitement to see me when I return from work, the affection of sitting in my lap are all a blessing. The rolling in dead stuff and then coming in the house all stinky, chewing up papers, scratching at the door in the middle of the night for no apparent reason except he is awake- not such blessings. This week in Confirmation we reflected upon t