Each week, I take some time to reflect on one of the lectionary passages for the upcoming Sunday. This week for the fifth Sunday of Easter, we're going to look at Acts 8:26-40

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian is fairly well-known and has a lot of implications for the inclusiveness of the gospel. What's always been remarkable to me is Philip's unwavering obedience. He does not hesitate to go up to this stranger from a strange land when prompted. But I wonder what would have happened if he was a bit more like us. What if he let his fears and prejudices slow him down a bit. When I begin to think about these things, I start forming imaginary conversations in my head. That is what follows. I should stress that it's imaginary and I am not suggesting that any of this is what Philip or the Holy Spirit would actually say.

Spirit: Go over to this chariot and join it.

Philip: Are you sure?

Spirit: I'm sorry, did I stutter?

So Let's Talk About That Batman v. Superman Trailer

It's been a crazy few days for movie trailer releases. First, we got the nostalgic ecstasy of the new Star Wars trailer and then that was followed up by the super-dark (pun totally intended) first trailer for next year's Mad Libs-titled Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. As a non-accredited Supermanologist, I figured I would walk us through some thoughts on the upcoming cinematic showdown between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel.

1. You should always take trailers with a grain of salt. Better yet, just unscrew the lid and dump all of the salt out onto the plate. Bad movies can have great trailers. Great movies can have trailers that make you say "Meh." Pertinent to our discussion: if Man of Steel had been anywhere near as good as its trailer, then I would watch that sucker five times a week while bemoaning what a crime it was for the Academy to snub the Greatest Suprehero Film of All Time. As it was, I found Man of Steel to be a flawed (mainly in editing and the back half) albeit still quite enjoyable film. In other words, who knows what kind of movie we got on our hands here?

"Why does it still feel like Lent?"

I was running down Belmont Boulevard in Nashville on Monday afternoon. Rain had been coming down all day and had rendered the sidewalk into a minefield of puddles. By now the precipitation had settled into a lightish but steady rhythm. However the forecast called for thunderstorms to roll into town within the hour. I was running to beat Mother Nature's clock.

As to that question that popped into my mind, it didn't really have to do with the gray dreariness of the afternoon. The day before had been Easter. Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. It is a celebration of the best news possible. I went through the motions. When we sang "All Creatures of Our God and King" in church, my heart fluttered but it felt like it was beating beneath a protective shell. Easter was an off day for me; one of those days where the little things build up into something bigger. At some point, I just gave up on the day and giving up just spiraled me further down the miserable rabbit hole.

So the seeming relentlessness of Lent was partly my fault. I invited it in. In fact, going for this run was an attempt on my part to get back to where I needed to be. For some reason, running kickstarts prayer when I don't feel like talking to God. I kept glancing out the window throughout the day hoping for, needing some kind of opening to take off.