Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges I’ve learned from Greg how the Bishop of Metz has, in a way, honored my request that my son be allowed to choose pacifism. Though Greg would be a soldier, his mission could be the Jesus peace. I would’ve said the “Christian” peace, since JesusContinue reading “#47.10, Tues., Aug. 22, 2023”
Category Archives: Bible Stories
#47.4, Tues., Aug. 8, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Here, I play a simple tune on Simon’s harp. It’s a song Simon invented to please the cuckoo nesting near this place where only flowers may grow. Brandell is delighted. For just a moment the tones of cooing cuckoo sullies the sorrows of us humankinds.Continue reading “#47.4, Tues., Aug. 8, 2023”
#47.3, Thurs., Aug. 3, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Simon played this little harp we made with gut strings on a bent ash root. From these hardened leftovers of life-things Simon made music and Brandell believed Simon had magical power. Maybe a two-year-old notices the “hole in the music” when someone is missing, andContinue reading “#47.3, Thurs., Aug. 3, 2023”
#47.2, Weds., Aug. 2, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges People like Simon would seem ordinary, or common, amid the great heroic tales that are told by the fires of soldiers gathering for wars. The ordinary aren’t mentioned. Great stories are spun around the likes of Greg or Gabe. And I can imagine little dark-hairedContinue reading “#47.2, Weds., Aug. 2, 2023”
#47.1, Tues., Aug. 1, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges All night last night, we sat at the table with a candle and the book. Ana and I took turns reading to one another through warm tugs and tears. We read the scribbles of words in Simon’s journal. [Footnote] The pages are the storyContinue reading “#47.1, Tues., Aug. 1, 2023”
#46.10, Tues., July 25, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Gabe and I share this private conversation as we brush down the horses Greg and I borrowed and Gabe wants to discuss the issue burning through the night whispers in the novice quarters. “Fear of the Lord” whether required or optional, or interpreted through abusesContinue reading “#46.10, Tues., July 25, 2023”
#46.9, Thurs., July 20, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges The novice here on stable duty this morning is Gabe. That was probably a kindness by the brother who assigns duties to the novices. I can see Gabe is well and finding his spiritual nurture in this place. He tells me he has a betterContinue reading “#46.9, Thurs., July 20, 2023”
#46.6, Thurs., July 13, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Metz The bishop only scoffs at my suggestion that a Christian birthright assumes pacifism and apparently, he doesn’t see that as courage. “But your holiness, wasn’t Christian pacifism taught and exemplified by Jesus? And wouldn’t you say that Jesus showed great courage calling out his forgiveness from the cross?”Continue reading “#46.6, Thurs., July 13, 2023”
#46.4, Tues., July 11, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. Arriving in Metz Ana and I were in Metz the year before the twins were born so I know where the stable is and I can find the church where Bishop Agilulf still serves. Roman works in stone idle here as a distant civilization is now overlain with theContinue reading “#46.4, Tues., July 11, 2023”
#46.2, Weds., July 5, 2023
Historical setting: 602 C.E. A cottage in the Vosges Our family gathers at this table; but Gabe is gone from us. Everyone is celebrating the success that his good education brought. But now, I, myself, am reconsidering this unusual requirement for literacy that Ana and I have laid onto these children. We have noContinue reading “#46.2, Weds., July 5, 2023”
Lazarus Ink 