The Practical Parson

 Recently, I was in town.   The town nearest my home is in many ways the epitome of small town America; a town in the shadow of a former manufacturing plant for Tobacco, with a community that isn't the smallest, but where everyone still seems to manage to know most everyone and everything going on in town at a given time.   Indeed, it was even a stop for country music star Justin Moore almost a decade ago when he was on his "Small Town USA" tour.   I have lived here for my entire life, and know intimately the community and many of the people; all good sincere people who have always had a place in my heart.   Judge my shock and dismay as I have borne witness over the last 3 years, as my hometown community has been forced into a situation that I am reliably well-informed, is not unique; given the current political and economic climate of our nation.  There have always been poor people in our community, our Lord himself said "the Poor you h...

 Recently I was reminded of an age-old claim, used by liberals to justify hatred of Christianity; that the concept of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute was allegedly promulgated by Pope St. Gregory the Great in the 6th century AD.   Of course when one attempts to debate that accusation, the opposing side clams up and claims that they don't have time or energy to debate because, simply, "it's true".  But is it? In point of fact, Gregory did not "proclaim" Mary Magdalene to be the woman taken in adultery from Luke's gospel, he was echoing an interpretation of unidentified people from the Gospels which was already prevalent at that time in history.  There are several unnamed people who play roles in the Gospel story, and scholars have been debating who was who ever since the Scriptures were first compiled.  Gregory does address Magdalene as having been the woman taken in adultery, however he also identifies her as the woman who had 7 demons cast out of her, as...

  Today we celebrate the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, following the 40 days we have walked alongside him in the desert of Lent towards the cross of Calvary. Easter is a joyous time; filled with light, happiness, family, friends, and flowers... absolutely EVERYWHERE you can imagine.  Yes, the Joy of Easter is palpable to all who even simply pass by a church today.  However, what do we make of it?   So many people in our churches these days focus all of their energy on the end holiday of the period, and little to none on the time leading up to it; much like as with Advent and Christmas.  Yes, we want the joy, chocolate, and flowers of Easter; but so many don't want the rest of the story that makes today possible- Suffering, Crucifixion, and Death.  This is endemic of our society, which has grown so dependent on "safe spaces" and coddling; to the point where we can't handle any form of negativity or sadness, only ever focusing on happy things th...