Proper 14, Year A: Matthew 14:22-33. St. Timothy's, Lake Jackson, Texas. What was Peter thinking? Who does he think he is? And where did he get this bizarre idea? The strangeness of this gospel passage isn’t so much that Jesus walked on the water. The strangeness is that Peter wants to join Jesus out there — on the water, in the … Continue reading Command Me to Come to You
Two Dinner Parties … but only one I want to attend.
Proper 13A: Matthew 14:13-21. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson, Texas. I love a good dinner party. Don’t you? My husband and I have always enjoyed hosting dinner parties. He’s a wonderful cook and I like to tidy the house, set the table, and prepare the drinks. Sharing a meal has the power to strengthen … Continue reading Two Dinner Parties … but only one I want to attend.
Faith revealed in a Register of Church Services
Proper 11A: Romans 8:12-25. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson, Texas. Who needs a word of encouragement? I need a word of encouragement. Do you need a word of encouragement? We have a word of encouragement today from St. Paul in his letter to the Romans! And, I think we’re ready to hear from him … Continue reading Faith revealed in a Register of Church Services
Thanks to the Indiscriminate Sower.
Proper 10, Year A, 2020: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson, Texas. What kind of soil are you? What kind of dirt? I want to be the good soil. I want to be the good dirt. And I know just enough about gardening to get what Jesus is talking about here. For … Continue reading Thanks to the Indiscriminate Sower.
What are you doing with your burdens, O Prisoners of Hope?
Proper 9A, 2020: Zechariah 9:9-12; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson, Texas. Why, yes — Jesus, we are weary and burdened. And do I need to explain to any living person what I mean by that right now? Jesus says: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy … Continue reading What are you doing with your burdens, O Prisoners of Hope?
Thank you, Sammy! Thank you, St. Timothy’s!
Many thanks to The Rev. Sam Craven for officiating and preaching at St. Timothy's today (June 28, 2020 ... recorded June 25th) so that I could be on vacation. It has been a sprint since I stepped into leadership at St. Timothy's two days before Palm Sunday (and Holy Week) and in the middle of … Continue reading Thank you, Sammy! Thank you, St. Timothy’s!
The sword, Perpetua, and the Christian identity.
Proper 7A: Genesis 21:8-21; Matthew 10:24-39. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson. Anyone notice the family troubles in today’s readings? This is a harsh and painful scene inside (and outside) Abraham and Sarah’s household. And then we hear Jesus’ words in Matthew … about bringing a sword and turning family members against one another. Ah, … Continue reading The sword, Perpetua, and the Christian identity.
Heeey – batter, battahhh!
Proper 6 Year A: Exodus 19:2-8a; Psalm 100; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Lake Jackson. Down the street from here, generations of girls learned to play fast-pitch softball. I was one of them. There were many lessons we learned out on those fields in the heat, humidity, and swarms of mosquitoes. One … Continue reading Heeey – batter, battahhh!
The Spirit falls fresh upon us today.
Pentecost Year A, 2020: Numbers 11:24-30, I Corinthians 12:3b-13, John 20:19-23. St. Timothy’s Lake Jackson, Texas. The gift of the Spirit has been given to us! Happy Pentecost! Just a couple of weeks ago, the gospel was Jesus’ promise to send an Advocate, a helper, to come alongside of us. To comfort and empower us. … Continue reading The Spirit falls fresh upon us today.
This is it.
Easter 7A, 2020: John 17:1-11. St. Timothy's, Lake Jackson, Texas. Do you remember being dropped off at sleep-away camp for the first time? Or how about moving off to college for your freshman year and watching your loved ones drive away? Many years ago, my mother made the long drive north on I-45 with me … Continue reading This is it.
