Well, contrary to popular opinion (or rumor) I have not abandoned this blog or forgotten my readers here. All is well with me, but I have been busier than at some times in my life. One of the things that has kept me busy is a new Scripture class on the Gospel of Matthew. We began back in the middle of September, are just finishing in the next couple of classes the first "module" or section concluding with the "Sermon" on the Mount (it's not really a sermon!!) and will take the entire school year to do the whole Gospel. I think I have that "under control" now and will be able to spend more time writing and on a couple of other projects.
These include a proposal for the discernment and formation of diocesan hermits drawn from the requirements of c 603 alone. I have plans for submitting this proposal so it can be helpful to dioceses and candidates dealing with these issues, but more about that when it is ready to go. And secondly, I am working on a project focusing on the theology of Holy Saturday; in particular, I am exploring how it is this theology can be helpful to survivors of trauma who are dealing with the long-term process of healing and growth this often requires. The linkage between this theology and trauma recovery is seeing new interest these days; it is interesting to see this now when there is incredible growth in the field of treating trauma, and when the theology of Holy Saturday itself is often neglected almost entirely even in our liturgical celebrations. When our theology moves directly from death on the cross to resurrection without the pause of Holy Saturday, theologically speaking we may not be able to cope adequately with situations of long-term recovery where Easter seems very far off indeed!
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