We don’t just tell stories because they’re fun to tell. We tell them because they reflect us, reveal us to ourselves. The journey of the Magi is more important to us than we might realize.
Author: Fr. Michael Brungardt
Fr. Michael Brungardt (S.T.B, M.Div.) is a priest of the Diocese of Wichita and the pastor at St. Paul, Lyons and Holy Name of Jesus, Bushton in Kansas.
“Rerouting…” Introduction 1: New Year, Same Need
The New Year is always a time for looking back and looking forward. Asking, “Where were you? Where are you now? And where are you going?” But sometimes we respond with three questions: “Where am I? How did I get here? And how do I get on the right path?”
The Arrival of a King
Why do we show up on Christmas? Who is this baby? And what does he want from me?
ADVENT (4) – The Obedience of Faith
Did you now that there is an underlying narrative you have bought into that determines how you live your life? And did you know that it might not be the one you think it is? Maybe the true change we need to make in our life isn’t being more patient, but changing the story that gives our life meaning and purpose.
ADVENT (3) – “Are you the one who is to come?”
Jesus isn’t just a nice story, a historical figure who was a good teacher whose wisdom we can learn from. Jesus is active, even now, even here. He stretches forth his hand through time, and he is active even now.
ADVENT (2) – It’s a Person We Long For
John the Baptist announces the coming of a kingdom, which isn’t a socio-political something, but a person. But is this person one we long for? Do we long for him like we do other people in our real life?
ADVENT (1) – Look to the East
Does being a Christian really just mean “going to church”? The proposal of Advent is one that calls us back to the truly profound mystery of our faith: Christ has come, Christ is coming, Christ will come. He comes to us even now, if only we would pay attention.
Commitment to Christ the King
Do we shout, “Long live Christ the King!” Or do we shout, “I do not want this man as my king!” The Christian claim is that it is only Christ who is able to bring the peace that we so desperately long for in our lives, in our families, in our communities, in our country, and in our world.
Stewardship Renewal #4 – Detachment
Jesus is indeed describing an event which will bring the world to an end…but the Earth will keep spinning. Has our old world come to an end, or are we still attached to it?
Stewardship Renewal #3 – Resist
Once every three years we are given an excerpt from the story of the Maccabean revolt: the martyrdom of a mother and her seven sons. Their witness could not be more important for our times!
The Beggar 