I’m thrilled to introduce you all to Mariko and Rachel Tinaya with their beautiful children, Eli and Sparrow. I first met Mariko when I began my grad work in the Urban Studies program at Eastern University. She was an intelligent, insightful, cheerful person already a year advanced in the program. I was deeply unsure of my place in the MAUS…
On The Feast of St. Columcille
1. Aoibhinn dom bheith air cnoc oileáin Ar barr carraige Go bhféacha mé minic ar an fharraige ciúin. Delightful to me to be on an island hill, on the crest of a rock, that I might often watch the quiet sea. 2. Go bhféacha mé na dtonnta troma Os cionn an t-uisce geal mar canann siad Ceol chig a n-Athair…
Pride Month Feature: Pam Rocker
I’m excited to introduce to you fellow sojourner on this journey call life, Pam Rocker. Pam has dedicated herself to dwelling in the messy in-between of faith communities and the LGBTQ2S+ community. Name: Pam Rocker Pronoun: she/hers Raised in a conservative Christian evangelical home, Pam originally planned to become a missionary. The reality of her sexual orientation coupled with…
For What Ails Us: On Healing & Cures
My headache begins with a dull tension at the back of my skull. Here it comes, I think. It’s not enough to warrant ibuprofen yet, but enough to signal to me that something’s up. I push the tension aside and focus on other tasks of the day. Soon the dull tension rises to a throb behind my left…
Celebrating Pride Month
June is Pride month. To celebrate, I’ll be featuring LGBTQ+ faith and spiritual leaders who are passionate about justice and community. I’m excited to be sharing the words and vision of these people with all of you! So much wisdom to learn from and so much hope. Stay tuned for Friday posts! In the meantime, here are just a few…
The Worship of Perfection
I was sharing some thoughts about launching Reluctant Mysticism with a group of online friends. While I wasn’t intending to go deep theologically, words popped out of my mouth before I registered what I was saying: “Isn’t it heartbreaking that we worship a perfect figure while living in a society that despises our imperfections?” I was referring to Christianity’s belief…
Moving Forward
Hey friends, You may have noticed some changes happening on Reluctant Mysticism. Check out the new theme and the new pages! Thanks to your support, I’m pursuing ways to help make this writing/blogging passion more a part of my career life. I’ll keep blogging about engaging our spirituality and faith practices after difficult times, while hopefully offering more…
Pentecost
A GHEALACH UR [54] An ainm Spiorad Naomh nan gras An ainm Athar na Cathrach aigh, An ainm Iosa thug dhinn am bas, O! an ainm na Tri tha d’ ar dion’s gach cas, Ma’s math a fhuair thu sinn an nochd, Seachd fearr gum fag thu sinn gun lochd, A Ghealach gheal nan trath, A Ghealach gheal nan…
Forest Rains
I’m sitting out on the screened-in porch listening to the forest prepare for rain. It’s both sensual and removed sharing protected space from most of the elements. I can hear the breeze rise to a wind in the treetops, yet I don’t feel it against my skin. The young spring leaves, newly greening just this week, help turn the entire…
Fear of Success
We learn through failure. I know this already and have most certainly experienced it repeatedly. It’s an ugly truth to face but, like most ugly truths, it is one that becomes beautiful when seen through willing eyes. So often I’m scared to even attempt life because I’m afraid I’ll fail — fail myself, fail others, fail God. I don’t love…