Author Archives: Joan

An October 2020 Reflection written by John Houk  While Joan is “busy with many things” I have time to reflect, and October is my favorite month.  I remember another October when Joan was invited to participate in the ordination of a … Continue reading →

Inferno on the ground; toxic air above.Fleeing; can’t breathe. Hurricane winds from above; surging waters from below.Houses gone; life is drowned. Are you listening? Citizens of the U.S.A., are you paying attention? This is the Season of Creation, September 1 … Continue reading →

Labor – A Reflection           by John Houk Our home has seen a steady procession of people who work with their hands.  Masks were worn and doors and windows were open, and I stayed upstairs in the chapel to avoid exposure to COVID-19.  Joan … Continue reading →

We can honor Mary on this feast day by remembering that she was, and remains, part of our world, our personal and natural world.  Pope Francis reminds us over and over that the natural world and we are not separate, and … Continue reading →

In the Gospel according to John 20:17-18, we read: Jesus said to her,  “Do not hold onto me because  I have not yet ascended to the Father.   But go to my brothers and say to them,  ‘I am ascending to … Continue reading →

John Houk Where is the Holy Spirit?  Experts on the subject think that she can be wherever she wants to be.  But how do we know where she is?  She is where she acts.  You can ask and hope that she will act, which … Continue reading →

My reflections during this Holy Week 2020 was intended to encourage you to remember the end-game story of Jesus’ life, which has become our Christian Holy Week Myth.  That’s nice, but there is a much deeper reason for these reflections, … Continue reading →

Early in the morning on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James set out toward the garden where they had seen Jesus’ body placed.  When they entered the garden, they saw to their … Continue reading →

It was the Sabbath in Jerusalem.  Normally a very quiet day and today was no different, except there were whispers.  Jesus had been confirmed dead with a spear thrust, and his body taken down from the cross.  The body was … Continue reading →

Jesus and his disciples loved this garden.  It was a safe comfortable place with deep grass and a light breeze.  It was dark, and they settled into the quiet, some even falling asleep.  Jesus tapped Peter, James and John, and … Continue reading →