This week, we'll have what may be the last opportunity in our lifetimes to experience the intersection of Good Friday and the feast of the Annunciation. We invite you to read Kevin Birth's thoughtful exploration of this calendrical coincidence below, and to consider meditating on John Donne's poetic exploration of the same coincidence tomorrow, on Good Friday itself. This post came about as a result of a conversation between Andy Walsh, author of ESN's Science Corner, and Kevin Birth. See previous posts here, here, and … [Read more...] about Holy Week: Contemplating an Uncanny Calendrical Coincidence
John Donne
DEATH be not proud, though . . .
Death and Resurrection
He was a young man, and I could see fear in his eyes as he gripped the railings of the bed and struggled to breathe, sucking in heavily through the plastic mask feeding him oxygen. His body was wasting away from cancer, and the infections that had crept into his lungs were now forcing every compensatory mechanism into extremis. He wanted to fight and live, but there was little left for the ICU to offer. I had been pleading with him for days to consider hospice and a more peaceable passing at home where he could be … [Read more...] about Death and Resurrection
Best Christian Book of All Time: Final First Round Results
The first round results for the Fiction & Poetry and Memoirs, Devotionals, & Spirituality brackets are in. Higher seeds mostly held serve, with one or two upsets to keep things interesting. Here's the updated bracket for your office pools. Vote for Round 2 on Facebook! Results Fiction & Poetry Dante's Divine Comedy (1) defeated The Collected Poetry of T.S. Eliot (16) 68-20. You knew this was a tough bracket when T.S. Eliot was the 16 seed! … [Read more...] about Best Christian Book of All Time: Final First Round Results
Thanksgiving preparations
Yesterday, a physician challenged the Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA at Penn State College of Medicine to intentionally engage family during the selfish time of Medical School. Although not currently a full time student, I too can become easily entangled in and distracted by perfecting must finish tasks, thereby taking away quality and quantity time with family and friends. Father forgive me. … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving preparations