Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

  • The Miracle

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    5 min read

    The Nativity and the Christmas Truce Christmas  |  Luke 2:1-20 What Is and Isn’t There Have you ever noticed that a word is missing from the account of Jesus’s birth? There is no word telling exactly where Jesus is born. The word stable doesn’t appear, though most of us put him there in our minds.…

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  • What Every Christian Should Know About Torture

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    4 min read

    Torture Isn’t Actually Partisan It takes a certain level of what Pope Francis calls “spiritual Alzheimers” for Christians to think torture is acceptable. In any circumstance. I’m willing to give us some level of forgiveness for our confusion in the closing months of 2001, when the country, and particularly the government, was searching for ways to respond…

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  • Here Am I

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    8 min read

    Mary does not sing of false humility, but describes her response to the very character of GOD. That her very soul reveals GOD, her spirit (not just her mind) rejoices, for GOD’s favor has come to the poor, not the powerful. She is proof of who GOD is and who GOD favors.

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  • Too Safe to Save: TREC’s final report

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    7 min read

    I went to work for Barnes & Noble when I started grad school. The store was in Downtown Crossing in Boston, across from Filene’s Basement. It closed some years ago. Last I heard, the doors were locked and the space has been unused for several years. I worked for Barnes & Noble for several years…

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  • The Opening Act

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    8 min read

    John the Baptizer and the new thing he creates a Homily for Advent 3B  |  Texts: John 1:6-8,19-28 The messiah is in the wilderness, among the people seeking repentance. He isn’t in Jerusalem with the Pharisees. He isn’t judging or obsessing over the rules. He isn’t kicking out the people who don’t follow the rules,…

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  • Hard Truth For Today’s Problem

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    2 min read

    Belief Believing “they have always done it” does not make it right. Thinking “they must’ve deserved it” does not mean they did. Fearing for your life does not justify your taking theirs. Holding a weapon doesn’t make you safe. Choosing the easier route for yourself may make it harder for someone else. Supporting only people…

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