Author Archives: stacyandjohn
Faith: It’s Not for the Weak
I have no reason to expect a simple solution. The answer will need to handle all the convolutions that our psyche will fling to avoid it. Problems are strong, pain is powerful, and the world is built on a foundation of suffering that feeds on itself and attacks us every day. Continue reading
Christmas Birth: As Challenging as Death
We made our first journey to the Holy Land in 2015 and spent Christmas in Bethlehem, where, for Christians, it all began. Many picture Bethlehem as it is romantically depicted on Christmas cards: sweet, clean, calm. What I found, however, behind the … Continue reading
Buzzkill Buddha
Recently an ancient Suttra, or sacred writing, of early 2nd century Buddhism was discovered on the Saraguptaskilihil Province in the Eastern Southwestern part of India. The Suttra contains the precepts and teachings of an Avatar of the Buddha who is … Continue reading
Despair
My conversion to Buddhism came not from a flash of light on the road to Damascus or the view from a mountaintop, or even an intense gaze into the eyes of a newborn dolphin. It was a process. A hard … Continue reading
Ascension Day: Grief Rather Than Triumph?
I wrote this back on May 15th, but forgot to post it. Here you go: Yesterday was the Feast of the Ascension, the day many Christian churches remember Jesus’ ascent into heaven forty days after the Resurrection. It always falls … Continue reading
A sermon for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
Preached Sunday, July 19, 2015 Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, University of Chicago Mary Magdalene. Apostle to the apostles, proclaimer to the proclaimers , the one sent forth to those sent forth. At first it seemed to me that this is perhaps … Continue reading
Mary Magdalene’s Simple and Scandalous Gift
A sermon preached on July 19, 2015 at Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago by the Rev. Stacy Alan Mary Magdalene. Apostle to the apostles, proclaimer to the proclaimers, the one sent forth to those sent forth. At first … Continue reading
Benedict and the School for Service of the Lord
So perhaps this is what Benedict can offer us this morning: a promise that is possible to do the impossible work for the long haul. Continue reading
Forgiveness
The idea of Forgiveness doesn’t come up in Theravadin Buddhism. It rears its Christian head in Dalai Lama land, and in New Age Buddhism along with other higher vehicle (mayahana) Buddhist sects. However, as far as Gautama Buddha, my man, … Continue reading
Forgiveness and Anger
Forgiveness. After the horror of last week’s massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charlotte, many were moved, comforted, and inspired by the expressions of forgiveness offered by the families of the dead toward the shooter. It was a powerful statement … Continue reading
buddha meets jesus 