Tag Archives: Lent

The Wind Is Awake (But Will You Stir?)

By Robin Bates | Published: February 11, 2018

John Burt’s poem “On the Will to Believe” sets us up nicely for Lent, a season when we wrestle with our doubts.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "On the Will to Believe", faith and doubt, John Burt | Comments closed

We Feel Closest to God in the Desert

By Robin Bates | Published: March 5, 2016

André Gide takes the story of the Prodigal Son and sees it a parable of unconventional exploring and spiritual hunger. Returning home, as Gide sees it, is a defeat, yet the message is Christian nonetheless.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Return of the Prodigal Son", André Gide, Of Gods and Men, Spirituality | Comments closed

During Lent, Don’t Avoid the Knife

By Robin Bates | Published: February 13, 2016

To use a horticultural analogy, Lent is a time to nurture the insights, to prune the tree, that come with Epiphany. This wonderful Rumi poem captures what is at stake.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "More Range", Rumi | Comments closed

From the Dark, Cold Grime a Flower Comes

By Robin Bates | Published: March 22, 2015

Mary Ann Bernard shows spring coming only with difficulty–but being all the more meaningful because of that.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Spring", Mary Ann Bernard, Resurrection, Spirituality, Winter | Comments closed

O’Connor’s Christianity and Racism

By Robin Bates | Published: March 15, 2015

“Artificial Nigger” can be read two ways–either as a story of sin and redemption or as a story of Whites finding unity by scapegoating Blacks. A definitive interpretation may depend on readers’ reactions.