What is good about Good Friday? As a child, pondering the horrible pain and suffering wrapped up in the Christian Passion narrative, I often asked this question. What is good about something that, on the surface, is so horrible? This question has taken on special meaning for me this year, as we — both Christians … Continue reading What is good about Good Friday?
Jesus Christ
The uncomfortable path of truth
Delivered for Noon Prayer, 2.19.2020, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla., in observance of the Feast of Frederick Douglass (20 February). “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” That line, from our very brief Gospel reading today, is one of the most popular quotes from Scripture. But, what … Continue reading The uncomfortable path of truth
Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden
At this time of year, with Christmas just a few hectic weeks away, any discussion of inner peace may seem abstract at best. If the shopping and cooking and decorating and wrapping and many social obligations don’t get your peace, then a family member is sure to bring up politics at the dinner table and … Continue reading Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden
‘Who am I?’
Note: This originally was delivered at Noon Mass at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Okla., on Wednesday, 23 October 2019. Unraveling our identity in Christ, with St. James I want to thank Fr. John for giving me the opportunity to preach on the Feast of St. James, since he is the source of my given … Continue reading ‘Who am I?’
Faith — Our passionate love affair with God
This sermon was delivered during Evening Prayer at Enid Community Corrections Center, on the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Oct. 15, 2019, as part of the prison ministry of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Okla. Faith, I think, is best described as a passionate love affair between the soul and its Creator — between … Continue reading Faith — Our passionate love affair with God
Encounters in the border land
Luke 17:11-19 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And … Continue reading Encounters in the border land
St. Francis, Padre Pio, and the power of humility
This is a reprint of a sermon given Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, in advance of the Feast of St. Francis, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, in Enid, Okla. Like many people, my first exposure to St. Francis of Assisi was one of those small images of Francis surrounded by animals. My mother had a ceramic … Continue reading St. Francis, Padre Pio, and the power of humility
The radical, nonsensical nature of grace
Grace makes absolutely no sense. From a biblical standpoint, most of us can accept this. God’s grace for us cannot be earned. We are unworthy. And yet, God poured out grace on us in the blessed blood of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are taught that, most of us, from the earliest days … Continue reading The radical, nonsensical nature of grace
Let our prayers be the megaphone of God
“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Those words from C. S. Lewis highlight an important aspect of prayer life for most of us (I know, at least in my past, it's been the case for me): We … Continue reading Let our prayers be the megaphone of God
The last teaching from the cross
A reflection for the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin As I prepared for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Mary, the Theotokos, I considered several readings on which to focus. The most natural for me, and the one verse I think most beautifully and succinctly captures the strength, faith, courage and importance … Continue reading The last teaching from the cross