from Table Talk Newsletter

How many pictures of a Jesus with dark skin have you ever seen in your life? And I am not talking about old icons that turn dark by age. I am talking about portraits of Jesus as the man of color he was.

When I was a child, my grandmother used to do this odd thing. We would walk through a forest and she would suddenly stop and say: “Do you smell it?”

Theo also saw his great-grandfather and our deceased dog in the skies, God and Jesus, and Mary. All of them were happily in heaven and he was so glad to know that our dog was watching God now. What an eternal upgrade.

Masks are the new must-have. And they are about to become the new fashion accessory. They tell us something about the wearer.

“No, I am fine. Don’t worry. Thanks for asking.”

“When do the kids go to bed? When can I drink a glass of wine? It’s only 3 pm? I am so tired. It’s Wednesday, again.”

I didn’t even notice it. I just bought it, every time. Until our freezer filled up with ice-cream off all kinds. The kids love ice-cream, but even they couldn’t eat as much as I kept buying.

When laying in my bed at night, I find myself praying much more intentionally and more intensive right now than just a couple of months ago. Has my faith grown? I am not sure.

“Do what they tell you. Whether it is reasonable or unreasonable. Because it is not about you and your freedom.”

from Table Talk Newsletter

I just googled “differences in rye flour for sourdough bread”. Because, sure enough, we too have started baking our own bread. Like basically everyone I know in my neighborhood.

Two friends are walking down a street. It’s something they used to do in a group of 13 or more. Just a week ago. Which seems like a life ago. Now, it’s only the 2 of them.

For the last 3 nights, I have done something, I wouldn’t have dreamed about doing just six weeks ago. I howled.

There he is again. Thomas, our Easterly friend.

Which day is today? No, don’t look at the calendar. Would you have known it?

The very first Easter-morning was very quiet. Nothing indicated that this would be a turning point in history or even a glorious day. It did not feel like Easter.

In times like these, I need to have some good laughs before going to bed.

I would have never thought that I once in my life had to beg people to stay at home – even during Holy Week. The (church-)world has turned upside down.

Reality just tricked us. No palm leaves today. We didn’t meet at Carlson Hall. We didn’t process in with the Processional Gospel. There are lots of “NO”s these days.