Archive


More than thirty-five years of First Things articles at your fingertips

Articles

Filter

Articles

Bethany

Joseph Mirra

In Bethany, what might the Lord have said Had Martha never questioned Maryโ€™s ways; If Mary were the one to speak instead? A very different question she might raise:...

But What of Us?

Joseph Mirra

The saints are quick to give their hearts awayAt every gentle prodding from above,And bear the scars that visit mortal clayThat dares to venture near Godโ€™s burning love.So grateful...

Mary of Bethany

Joseph Mirra

In Bethany, as Jesus dines with friends,And Martha sees to it that all are fed,Her sister to the Lord alone attends,Anointing him for coming days of dread.She breaks the...

Digging Shakespeare

Joseph Mirra

Iโ€™d chosen English lit with the intentOf studying the writings of the Bard;But I was told he wasnโ€™t relevant,And it was not to be—I took it hard.Intriguing tales he...

Nones on Sunday

Joseph Mirra

One day I woke up and became a None;It gave me lots more time to think and pray.Iโ€™d think about bad things religionโ€™s done,And pray that God would now...

Oh Where Was God?

Joseph Mirra

O where was God when all things fell apart;When with the fury went our hopes and dreams?We kept him at a distance from the start,And now our world was...

Who Are We Not to Judge?

Joseph Mirra

The precepts of the Lord are pretty clear—Whatโ€™s right or wrong is plain enough to see.And yet the question that we often hear,Is who are we to judge what...

The Crowd

Joseph Mirra

Enticing to the coward is the crowd:It speaks what each dares not to speak alone,And compensates for fear with voices loudTo offer wisdom that it doesnโ€™t own.With stridency, a...