"He was certainly dead. The pilum guaranteed it. His message, / unwritten except on his body, like anyone's, was wrapped / like a scroll..." commonwealmagazine.org/poem-say-word-…

For those of you participating in Holy Week, here is a piece on Holy Saturdays, the day between the agony of the cross and the wonder of the empty tomb. Shout out to Matthew Wickman for introducing me to Holy Saturdays in his book, Life to the Whole Being. wayfaremagazine.org/p/holy-saturda…

There have been times when, after long on my knees in a cold chancel, a stone has rolled from my mind, and I have looked in and seen the old questions lie folded, and in a place by themselves, like the piled graveclothes of love's risen body. "The Answer," R. S. Thomas

Extra bonus: an eloquent meditation (from MW) on Mary Magdalen and how elusive recognition can be, which slots in perfectly to this week’s lectionary readings faith-and-imagination.castos.com/episodes/ep-10…

Years ago, a guy I knew worked on a computer program that could formulate the perfect response in any conversation. His passion for the project derived from his inability to recognize such a thing intuitively. I often think about this when I read about social media tech bros.

Got course evals back. I taught so differently 10 yrs ago, more subject than person. "Why?" I now ask in regret. "I was drowning in sadness and grief and anger. Prof W offered so much grace because he cared about my well-being. It made a big difference in my healing journey."

Matthew Wickman’s interview w the husband of the late Anya Krugovoy Silver is astounding. I must sheepishly admit that every time I read one of her poems I think, “I really need to buy one of her books,” and yet, I haven’t. That will change this year! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fai…

Two years ago, I made a brief comment on Twitter that a friend at Wayfare asked me to expand into an article. I did; link is below. Wayfare, btw, is amazing: wide-ranging, beautifully rendered, soul-expanding. Kudos to Zachary Davis Subtle Grace open.substack.com/pub/wayfare/p/…

Just finished an acclaimed book whose wisdom I loved. Still, I found it riddled with contradiction, mostly in asserting, with extraordinary certainty and self-importance, life's uncertain and humbling nature. A reminder that writing well is really, really hard.

I appreciate this essay by a friend, former student, neighbor, professional writer, and member of my faith community. open.substack.com/pub/nuclearmel…

Such a great conference. And a pleasure to meet some people, like Joy (Joy Marie Clarkson ☀️), who I knew only through their work.

Always filled with delights. And in some cases, more than that: newversereview.com/issue-2-3--sum… New Verse Review

So honored by this bright and careful review of The Locust Years by one of my literary heroes, Sally Thomas . Thanks to Fare Forward for publishing it. “One striking hallmark of Pastor’s body of work is that nobody else today seems to be asking his soul where its wisdom is…”

I’ve had enough of “Make [whatever] [whatever] Again” language. Still, I find this essay lovely: “Can beauty save the world? Who knows. The jury is still out. But one thing we know for sure is that a saved world is beautiful. Lord, give us eyes to see.” open.substack.com/pub/ekstasisma…

Running a highlight episode of this podcast conversation with Paul J. Pastor, who is a treasure to many a community: faith-and-imagination.castos.com/episodes/ep-10….

Kathy West Matthew Wickman Paul J. Pastor Wiseblood Books Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). The Holy Spirit lands wherever there is love for God!