Marwan and I met when I was in Jordan earlier this year visiting Syrian Refugee Camps. He stuck out right away because he was the only male teacher amongst several dozen female teachers. Moreover, as I watched him teach, I was struck by his energy and joy. After observing him teach, we had lunch togetherContinue reading “Marwan’s Story”
Author Archives: Rob Radtke
One billboard outside Sandusky, Ohio
Each year my wife and I attend St. Bartholomew’s three-hour Good Friday service. Each year I wonder how on earth I will sit through three hours of music, extended periods of silent prayer, readings on the seven last words of Christ, and a homily on each. Each year the time disappears.
An Australian Parable of the Return of the Prodigal Son
Palm Sunday and Holy Week are not my favorite liturgical season. I endure them in anticipation of Easter. And so, this year I’ve frittered away the final days of Lent and Holy Week binge-watching The Heart Guy, an Australian television series. I have a soft spot for Australia, and Australian television programs give me theContinue reading “An Australian Parable of the Return of the Prodigal Son”
Sinking into Silence
Each year I try to spend a week in silent retreat. With my travel schedule, that can be a challenge. However, if I attach the retreat to other travel, so that I’m already away from the temptations of the office and the “to do” lists of home, I can sometimes swing it.
And yet…
I try not to regret much in life. God knows I have no cause for regret. I’ve been abundantly blessed from birth. Just about any white male born in the developed world starts life on at least second, if not third, base in the baseball game of life compared to the rest of humanity. SoContinue reading “And yet…”
And the winner is…
Several years ago our daughter talked us into hosting an Oscars night party. We were initially reluctant. Now it’s a thing. We think up a thematic menu to serve, distribute ballots to our guests, award points according to categories, and then at the end of the evening award a mini-Oscar trophy to the personContinue reading “And the winner is…”
“The silence has been broken.”
Today I find myself in Liberia where I am learning about Episcopal Relief & Development’s work to mobilize faith leaders in the effort to end violence against women and children. It’s innovative and impressive work (and I’m not just saying that because I’m the president). Often, approaches to working with faith leaders “instrumentalize” them. ThatContinue reading ““The silence has been broken.””
Fog Over the Promised Land
Last Thursday afternoon, just before heading home to New York, I stood on Mount Nebo in Jordan and looked west to the Promised Land. Mount Nebo is where Moses stood at the end of his life, having led the Israelites in the desert for forty years, and died. Today there is a modern Catholic churchContinue reading “Fog Over the Promised Land”
Abir and Smadar
A good pilgrimage leaves one with more questions than answers and this one has not disappointed. Several evenings we were blessed to have guests come and talk with us about the current situation here in the Holy Land. It’s hard not to be discouraged. How does one get to a just peace? What does thatContinue reading “Abir and Smadar”
“Do not be afraid…”
Today I find myself in the Holy Land—on a pilgrimage. This is not my first pilgrimage, nor, do I suspect, will it be my last. Moreover, this is my 5th or 6th time visiting many of the sites on this trip. Yet, each visit is a little different. Each visit challenges and rewards me inContinue reading ““Do not be afraid…””
Rob's Reflections 