I do not remember when Grandad was first showing signs of illness, I was only a kid, after all. In fact, I hardly remember any of the dates from that time. Looking back, I realize how hard it all was on the family, the anxiety and tension that was palpable in relationships yet the source of which was a mystery to a boy just emerging into his teen years. I do remember that it was […]
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (February 9, 2020) – Audio Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Matthew 5:13-20 “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” In the name of… ✠ This week on a Facebook group that I am a part of and where we discuss […]
Last semester I was meeting with a University of Kentucky alumnus who has a senior position in the US Court system. During the Clinton impeachment, he was an assistant to the Chief Justice and shared with me some stories from that time and provided some insight as well. The most interesting thing he shared, however, was the anecdote about an interviewer’s question and his response. He was asked, “Who did you think was the most […]
A comic from Vic Lee, Pardon My Planet. I find it amusing, although others view it as a CIDU.
First Sunday after Christmas (BCP; uses the same readings every year, not RCL) – Audio Isaiah 61:10-62:3Psalm 147Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7John 1:1-18 “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. ✠ Did you […]
Third Sunday of Advent (December 15, 2019) – Audio A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; … it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. Isa. 35:8 During my academic sabbatical, three years ago now, I was interim rector of a parish in Nashville. You may not be fully aware of this, but being a rector is one of the most challenging jobs […]
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns […]
Elizabeth has posted a new essay on Open to Hope.
Proper 27 (32) (November 10, 2019) – Audio For he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to God all are alive. Amen. It is perhaps not so common now, but for centuries in the Christian world a common criticism leveled at someone was that they are being “Pharisaical.” Even today, in some circles, you will hear people criticize other kinds of Christians as being “like the Pharisees.” This derives, of […]
It is perhaps fitting that first thing Friday morning, the First of November, All Saints’ Day, Editor Jessica sent me the final draft of Beautiful & Terrible Things. The book is written, edited, and now awaits copy editing, formatting, and marketing. Coming in at 164 pages and 51,800 words, I hope it is not overly long or too anemic. Today I had the privilege to hear Dr. Peter Kreeft speak on the question of suffering […]