Clear texts and troubled times

For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Kendall's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

I have finally gotten around to putting away the green garden hose I tripped over all fall. After some extended travel time, the sudden frigid weather caught me off guard. Trying to coil cold plastic hose in a chilly garage seems impossible. Getting the job done properly requires time and patience. I was determined to take hours if necessary and to do it with humor and the long view.

My goal: a sleepy, green, snakelike, circular calm in the corner, so that every time I entered the garage I could gaze with satisfaction. The hose had not gotten the best of me.