Csquared Thoughts

Podcasts

With my iPod and my commute by train a couple of days a week, I've become a serious listener to podcasts.

One podcast I've really come to value is Pray-as-you-go, a ministry of the Jesuits in Britain. (Thanks to Teresa at Blog by-the-Sea for the reference.) Each Monday through Friday podcast contains some sacred music, a reading from the daily lectionary, some thoughts for meditation on the reading, and a second reading of the same lectionary passage. A sort of audio Lectio Divina. Quality stuff.

Also available via podcast is the ELCA's Grace Matters radio program, hosted by Peter Marty, son of distinguished Lutheran scholar Martin E. Marty. You've got to appreciate someone who can both interview Philip Yancey, evangelical author of What's So Amazing About Grace? and quote liberal theologian Marcus Borg. Worth listening to.

Just two examples. There's lots out there to keep your iPod busy.

Back to Work

Going back to work tomorrow after six days off. It was a quiet weekend, since we decided to stay home, instead of driving to Southern California on account of Terry's cold. I took vacation days Tuesday and Wednesday anyway, so it was a very pleasant time away.

At least the good thing is that I'm done with out-of-town conferences, off-site meetings, and co-workers visiting from out of town. So I can go back to taking the train to work, and listening to sermons and to religion & spirituality poscasts on my iPod. That's a good thing.

And I have a long overdue meeting with my spiritual director on Thursday. That's a very good thing.

Why All the Reruns on Speaking of Faith?

I really enjoy the podcasts of the public radio program Speaking of Faith. I've noticed, however, that almost all of the programs the past three or four months have been reruns. Does anyone know why? Funding issues? Host Krista Tippett on leave? Or....?

I've checked out the Speaking of Faith Web site, and have done Google Web, news, blog, and group searches, and have found nothing.

Any insight is appreciated.

The Church's Work

I was listening today to the Grace Cathedral Forum podcast of Dean Alan Jones' conversation with Anne Lamott. I always love to hear Anne speak or to read her work, and this was no exception. I wish she would publish her thoughts and reflections more frequently. (She does, or did, write an intermittent column for Salon.com.) Her next book is due out in March, so I guess I'll just have to be patient.

Anne had a lot to say, and I may have more to reflect on her words later. But I was intrigued by a quote Alan Jones read at the end of the conversation. He said it was from Aden Cavanaugh, a Benedictine. I'd never heard of him, and a Google search turned up nothing. So if you're familiar with Cavanaugh, please let me know.

The quote Jones read was about the work of the church, and it seems to me that this what the church, at its very best, should be offering its members:

The church is always inviting all people home
Where soup still simmers on the back of the stove
in from the cold of impersonal process and shame
to the simple warmth of dinner among friends,
both human and Divine.
Here there are no bottom lines, only laughter and good red wine
mutual gentleness, and mercy and forgiveness for all.

If we can do that, then perhaps we can truly find the strength to go out into the world and feed the poor, cloth the naked, find healing for the sick, and seek justice for the oppressed.