Ordinary radicals need something to be radical against. In the second section of Jesus for President, titled "A New Kind of Commander-in-Chief," Claiborne and Haw describe the political powers empire and imperialism as that which Israel, and then Christ, is supposed to be rebelling against. As Christians, we are called into a struggle that touches our physical, emotional, verbal, and spiritual lives. The Empire has its own language and way of doing things. They have created a dominant culture bent on maintaining the status quo, i.e. their power, at any cost. This is one of the big reasons Christ died: he stood in the way of Empire.

Where does standing in the way of Empire get us except killed? More importantly, why should we stand in the way of Empire? The authors answer is because Christ did, so we should do the same. Christ has called us to an alternative community, a place where we are citizens of the Kingdom, his Kingdom, the one he mentions in his lesson on praying ("thy kingdom come.") This is greater than the kingdom the Adversary tempted him with, a kingdom of majesty and power that bows down to no one. The gates of Hell cannot stand against it. Neither should Herod's or the Caesar's.

That's why standing up against Empire and Imperialism is so important: we are greater than they are. We are the true Kingdom, they are just shadows. Though they try to kill us and place us in darkness, we find the way, the truth, and the life in Christ's death and resurrection---the turning of darkness into light, a light that lives in us and will last forever in Jesus' Kingdom. As Claiborne and Haw write: ... more

When the above painting was first exhibited, there was a gigantic uproar. To a twenty-first century audience, John Everett Millais' painting ‘Christ in the House of His Parents' would rarely raise an eyebrow in response. More likely it would be glanced over simply as a realistic, but uninteresting biblical scene. If one reads criticism from the time period, however, one realizes two points. First, viewers were genuinely angry and disgusted with Millais' depiction of the holy family. Secondly, there really was a reason for the dismay-at least to those writing the critiques. "We are presented with that which is merely disgusting," wrote the author of A Glance at the Exhibition of the Royal Academy, 1850, "forced and painful attitudes; elaboration of ugliness; expatiation on sordid or unimportant details; and all this to the contemptuous banishment of the mysteries and beauties of nature."[1] Another critic, Wornum, is quoted: "The dirty corrugated skin of an emaciated frame" should never, ...[be selected as ] model for sacred or historic character"; "The physical ideal alone", he went on, "can harmonise with the spiritual ideal: in Art, whatever it may be in Nature in its present condition, the most beautiful soul must have the most beautiful body; lofty sentiment and physical baseness are essentially antagonistic; even in the lowest sinks of poverty in the world, the purest mind will shine transcendent."[2] ... more

The future of the ecumenical movement will rely greatly on table manners, on where we recognize and honor Christ in the sacraments and how we recognize Christ in others.  -Sarah Howell

My wife and I spent a three day weekend in Vermont on a vacation that bookended my participation in the University of Vermont's Tolkien Conference.  I read a paper entitled: "'Their Fall is into Possessiveness': Possessiveness, Imperialism, and Colonialism in Middle-Earth" and if you contact me through Everyday Liturgy I will be happy to send a copy to you.

Staying in a bed & breakfast was a great treat for me.  We stayed at Elliot House in Shelbourne, VT, and upon entering we were promptly greeted with shortcake and tea.  At the mere mention of tea I fell in love with the place!  The shortcake was good, too. 

Over the weekend, we spent a good deal of time sitting in the kitchen or library of the old farmhouse talking to the owners or fellow guests, and this was often done over food.  I am still trying to "intellectually process" what was going on when strangers meet around a table with food, but my initial thoughts are the purely rustic: "it was thoroughly enjoyable and pleasant."

I had a blast just being with other people in hospitality.  Coffee and omelets do wonders to open up conversations, and you can learn so much as you pass salt and pepper shakers.

So what if they other guests in the hotel were just on vacation or planning a surprise party with loads of wine?  Jesus traveled a lot, and he supplied the wine for a celebration as well.  And to celebrate Christ we must celebrate him in all his wonderful complexity.  He is incarnate, he was a fisherman, a carpenter, a crucified person, a supernatural miracle, a sea-side cook, and a vitner.  Christ meets us in the sacraments, but he also meets us around the dining room table as well.  And the woods, and the arcade, and the concert hall.  The possibilities abound, and everywhere we look Christ is there, for he reigns. ... more