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** Malice, mercy, and mourning
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I have been working here at the Century for a little over three years. In that time I have never seen our publication schedule operating like it is now. There are so many news stories—and specifically news stories about the continual collisions of religion and politics in the US—that we have been in accelerated writing and editing mode to provide thoughtful content on what matters to you (and us).
Though Bishop Mariann Budde’s sermon to the president occurred over a month ago, it is still the subject of both celebration and debate. Katherine Willis Pershey reflects on the prophetic sermon’s continued impact ([link removed]) . More recently, faith leaders have been battling the White House in court over executive orders about refugee ministry. Our editors write about the malice behind these heartless orders ([link removed]) .
Our video of the week features religion professor Alan Levinovitz, who chats with me about some of the struggles and dilemmas faced by religion educators ([link removed]) today. Plus more great content below, including a tribute from our publisher/editor Peter Marty to his father Martin Marty ([link removed]) , who recently passed away.
Jon Mathieu
Email me (mailto:
[email protected]?subject=A%20sermon%20I%20heard&body=Jon%2C%20) : Which sermon you’ve heard has most affected you?
Click to schedule ([link removed]) a Friday lunch chat with Jon
Click to find Jon ([link removed]) on (X/Twitter alternative) Bluesky
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** Mariann Budde stoked fires of mercy ([link removed])
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“A good sermon has to do more than entertain and inspire—or agitate and annoy—in the moment. What comes next? Will Bishop Budde’s sermon make a difference?”
by Katherine Willis Pershey
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** Why are Trump and Musk blocking the church’s work with refugees? ([link removed])
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“While Christians have long debated how best to help people, recently the debate has shifted to whether to do it at all. There are so many professed Christians who remain loyal to Trump even as he guts vital humanitarian programs.”
from the editors
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** VIDEO: The double standard in religious education ([link removed])
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Religion professor Alan Levinovitz chats with Jon about the impossible truism expected of religious educators: teach students how to think, not what to think.
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** In the Lectionary for March 5 (Ash Wednesday) ([link removed])
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Isaiah and Matthew invite us into deeper solidarity. None is well until all are well.
by Celeste Kennel-Shank
** In the Lectionary for March 9 (Lent 1C) ([link removed])
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God chooses to draw near—and to draw us out of ourselves.
by Mark Ralls
Ash Wednesday archives ([link removed])
Lent 1C archives ([link removed])
Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more ([link removed]) .
** Dad ([link removed])
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“Dad encouraged those he met to love God from the top of their head and the bottom of their heart.”
– Peter Marty remembers his father, Martin Marty (1928–2025)
** An ungovernable faith ([link removed])
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“When Christians abstain from the national anthem or decline to swear before a jury, we put on display what the government cannot do. Each time we refuse the Pledge of Allegiance or remove the American flag from our sanctuaries—each act cultivates a pattern of nonconformity to state coercion.”
by Melissa Florer-Bixler
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