Christmas 1, Year B: Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18. I was on time, but soon I’d be running late. I was sitting in my car in the Cathedral parking garage listening to a radio interview that I just couldn’t tear myself away from. It was an interview of Brené Brown, entitled: The Quest for True … Continue reading The Word, words, and the work of Christmas.
The Curb-scraping Wonder of God-With-Us
Christmas Eve 2020. Luke 2:1-20. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson, Texas. Wrapped in blue, wearing the Mary-mother-of-Jesus costume worn by many of you in the past, I lifted the plastic baby Jesus from the manager while radiant beams of automobile headlights illumined the humble stable of the 66th Living Nativity at St. Timothy’s. Being Mary at … Continue reading The Curb-scraping Wonder of God-With-Us
Tidings of Comfort on the Longest Night
Photo credit: J. Tyler Sandstrom Captain Nowhere Photography Instagram: @captain.nowhere.photography Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion and turneth the shadow of death into the morning. Alleluia, yea, the darkness shineth as the day, the night is light about me. Amen. Jonathan Dove's choral setting of Amos 5:8 and Psalm 139, Seek Him … Continue reading Tidings of Comfort on the Longest Night
Yes.
Advent 4, Year B: Luke 1:26-38. On this 4th Sunday of Advent, we marvel at Mary’s acceptance of God’s invitation for her life. We marvel at her YES. The Feast of the Incarnation is drawing near. But before we behold the arrival of the Christ child, first we behold his mother. Mary, named theotokos by early church theologians. Theotokos. … Continue reading Yes.
Point to Jesus
Advent 3, Year B: John 1:6-8, 19-28 John the Baptist is a striking figure in the gospels … and in a painting at the Unterlinden Museum in France. In the painting, John the Baptist, is John the witness — a visual expression of the Johannine gospel. The painting is the Isenheim Altarpiece, created by Matthias Grunewald 500 … Continue reading Point to Jesus
All Saints 2020: What You Do Matters
Revelation 7:9-17; Matthew 5:1-12. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson, Texas. For all the saints, who from their labors rest… The first verse of this beloved hymn[1] evokes the memory of the saints across the ages. [Ed and I will be singing this hymn at home later today because I cannot imagine an All Saints without … Continue reading All Saints 2020: What You Do Matters
Recommit to the God of Love
Proper 25A: Matthew 22:34-46. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson. There’s a colorful stained-glass window in the chancel of Christ Church Cathedral, Houston which served as a focal point for me in worship services during the 5 years I served there as Canon for Welcome & Evangelism. The window includes images symbolizing the four gospels: … Continue reading Recommit to the God of Love
God is at work in you.
Proper 21, Year A: Philippians 2:1-13. St. Timothy's, Lake Jackson. “…it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Paul wrote these words to the Philippians. It was true for them then. And it is true for us now. I must … Continue reading God is at work in you.
A future together through forgiveness
Proper 19, Year A: Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 18:21-35. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson. I don’t know the whole story. I actually don’t know the story at all. All I know is that the disagreement happened during the construction of a fence. And it happened before Ed and I bought our little 1950s ranch house in … Continue reading A future together through forgiveness
When two or three are gathered … it will be difficult.
Proper 18, Year A: Matthew 18:15-20. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson. It has been noted that when two or three are gathered … it will be difficult. We laugh at this twist on today’s scripture because it’s true! Even people who love each other and get along most of the time will occasionally do something … Continue reading When two or three are gathered … it will be difficult.
