Historical Setting: Monkwearmouth, 793 C.E. The Christmas story is when the poor and weak are lifted up and the proud and powerful are cast down. It was the story Jesus was born into. And this too is that story. I take the bones of the near drown girl to the Reverend Mother of Monkwearmouth. SheContinue reading “#75.13 Tuesday, December 30, 2025”
Category Archives: Bible Stories
#75.12 Thursday, December 25, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. Some rise early for the mass. At Monkwearmouth the antiphons will be sung by the women’s choir this morning for this feast day celebrating the Christ birth. The guards dressed as monks have their shift change at first light, so it isn’t just the monks stumbling through the Jarrow hallsContinue reading “#75.12 Thursday, December 25, 2025”
#75.11 Weds., December 24, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. The librarian, Brother Wilbert, said the sounds of the people’s celebration of the season escaped these guest quarters again and danced among the snows of the cold December night, then music-ed up and down the halls of the monks’ quarters sending shudders of worldly drunkenness throughout the holy chambers. Now,Continue reading “#75.11 Weds., December 24, 2025”
#75.10 Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. Tonight, I hear the ruckus down the hall as the soldiers, incognito as monks, shift their vigils: two go out and two return with shivers, welcomed by the third pair ready with the ale and the songs of the Christ birth. Even this seasonal welcome with ale is a traditionContinue reading “#75.10 Tuesday, December 23, 2025”
#75.3 Thursday, December 4, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. In the water walking allegory, stepping out of the boat is called “faith.” But then the word “faith” was usurped by religion as a uniform requirement for belonging —a shared creed. Back when faith was still raw and personal, Jesus told Peter he needed it. Then by religious use,Continue reading “#75.3 Thursday, December 4, 2025”
#75.2 Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. It could be that God is speaking to everyone all the time. But what one hears depends on listening. Sometimes I listen. But my experience in hearing God is always personal and never credibly shareable. Maybe it is out of fear or awe, but people – at least speakingContinue reading “#75.2 Wednesday, December 3, 2025”
#74.10 Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. A technique to practice love in the work of learning to love God and neighbor and self, and even love for “enemy” is a technique of working through words of fear and hate, then widening the disparaging words to be positive words. This exercise doesn’t pretend love, rather itContinue reading “#74.10 Tuesday, November 25, 2025”
#74.9 Thursday, November 20, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. Both styles of monks, the Irish and the Roman, are beloved by God. And maybe God answers the argument when a monk from the Roman Rule happens to lose his hair without even shaving it, but only in the front, giving this Roman Christian the Irish tonsure. And theContinue reading “#74.9 Thursday, November 20, 2025”
#74.7 Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. Perhaps Samuel, in particular, caught Bede’s interest as he, like Samuel, was dedicated to the priests at a young age. Samuel, whose mother, Hannah, gave him to the temple priest to fulfill her promise to dedicate her child to serve God. As young Bede served Ceolfrith, young SamuelContinue reading “#74.7 Tuesday, November 18, 2025”
#74.4 Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Historical Setting: Jarrow, 793 C.E. Now, as I contemplate my own motives for searching Bede’s writings, I find myself clinging to the losing side in a petty debate over haircuts and calendar calculations. I’m still arguing matters of political opinion while I claim my reasons for studying Bede are purely for learning the history.Continue reading “#74.4 Tuesday, November 11, 2025”
Lazarus Ink 