On my first trip to the southwest with the woman who would become my wife, I took in the arid earth, the minimalist flora and fauna, the dust and rock, and thought this must be what the moon is like. I had lived in the east my whole life, only venturing west to ski in … read more
Advent Meditation: Sunday, December 1, 2019
Psalm 146, 147, 111, 112, 113 • Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8 • Luke 21:5-19 I wake up, shower, make coffee, and drive to work. It’s pretty much the same every day. And on the way, I am likely to turn on NPR. The rhythm and routine, the familiar voices, and the thoughtful journalism have made me […]
The Unpredictable Wind
At lunch today, a student said, “If you are going to talk about life, you have to talk about death.” I think she’s right. Ash Wednesday is one of the days we talk about death. We talk not just with words but with the act of imposition. We are imprinted with the dust that […]
Dr. Scott Bader-Saye – March 11, 2019
Readings Leviticus 19:1–2, 11–18 Psalm 19:7–14 Matthew 25:31–46
Dwelling in Impossibility
At lunch today, a student said, “If you are going to talk about life, you have to talk about death.” I think she’s right. Ash Wednesday is one of the days we talk about death. We talk not just with words but with the act of imposition. We are imprinted with the dust that […]
Advent Meditation: Sunday, December 2
Psalm 146, 147, 111–113 • Isaiah 1:1–19 • Matthew 25:1–13 During our years living in northeastern Pennsylvania, Advent coincided with short days, long nights, and the first flush of winter. In Austin, Advent coincides with sunny days, outdoor events, and moderate temperatures that finally mark the end of lingering heat. The variation in how we […]
The Witness of John Hines
October, 9, 2018 is John Hines Day, when Seminary of the Southwest pauses to remember the founding vision of Bishop John Hines, and celebrate the members of the John Hines Legacy Society. The day was Thursday, October 15, 1964. The St. Louis Cardinals were playing host to the New York Yankees in game seven of […]
The Inauguration and the Unjust Judge
As we move toward the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump, I am aware that many in this country feel trepidation and fear. People of color, women, sexual minorities, disabled persons, and immigrants all came under attack during Trump’s campaign, and in the construction of his cabinet, President-Elect Trump has done little to signal support for […]
ADVENT MEDITATIONS – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Psalms 45, 46; Isaiah 35: 1-10; Luke 1: 67-80 Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer: Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, Advent Meditation For many of us, Christmas Eve conjures feelings of warmth and security. We are surrounded by friends or family, perhaps warming ourselves by a fire, resting in the comforts of […]
Walls and Doors: The Politics of Immigration
Much has been said during the presidential campaign about the issue of immigration. We have heard about walls, deportation forces, open borders, paths to citizenship, and more. The question of immigration is finally a question about boundaries, identity, and control. What does it mean to be a nation? What is the status of national boundaries? […]