Tuesday, June 25, 2019 | Reflections
Today’s story from Acts has so much wisdom packed into it. Gamaliel is a well-respected person among his community, and the disciples know him to be a fair man. Gamaliel doesn’t so much back up the story of the apostles as much as he admonishes those listening to give...
Monday, June 24, 2019 | Reflections
The readings today revolve around John the Baptist. We can read these passages and think only of John, or we can broaden our view that we too have been called to spread the news of Jesus’ coming. That’s what we are charged to do as Christians—to “go before the Lord to...
Sunday, June 23, 2019 | Reflections
The encounter between Jesus and the Gerasene demoniac means a lot to me. I see myself in this man—not that I run around naked among the tombs, but I have let other forces sway me. No matter what I did, or whatever steps I took to change things, I would “be driven by...
Saturday, June 22, 2019 | Reflections
Luke writes about the apostles’ testimony during the beginning months and years of the early church, and that whole testimony hinges on one thing: the resurrection of Jesus. The apostles speak and act with great power and grace rests upon them. Today, some folks place...
Friday, June 21, 2019 | Reflections
Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. I have a friend who, when involved in a conversation, always listens first. He waits, listens, observes—and when he does speak, it is almost always something worth saying. This ability to listen is a bea….(View this...
Thursday, June 20, 2019 | Reflections
Jesus is not pulling punches when he denounces the ostentation of the scribes in the temple, and then graciously acknowledges the widow’s offering. No one greets this little old lady with respect in the marketplace. When she prays, she does not use fancy flowery...
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 | Reflections
We call them “leaps of faith,” and they represent the physical manifestation of risk, effort, hope, and belief all in one swift motion. Many of us find it easier to keep our feet on the ground, raising the same kinds of questions as the Sadducees. S….(View this...
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | General Convention
Members of Washington National Cathedral marched in the June 9 Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C. Photo: Danielle E. Thomas/Washington National Cathedral [Episcopal News Service] The full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of The Episcopal Church had barely...
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | Reflections
As a neurosurgeon, it is very easy to have an ego that gets in the way of being rightly related to God. Ego gets in the way of living a life that has God at the center because it wants to be the center. The psalm reading today makes me mindful of this fact. The...
Monday, June 17, 2019 | Reflections
We could approach the parable of the wicked tenants in several ways, but I like to focus on the fact that the tenants do not actually own the land. They only work it, which reminds me of a hymn I love.We give thee but thine own,….(View this reading and more...
Sunday, June 16, 2019 | Reflections
When I think about the Creator of the universe holding me in one hand and pouring love into me with the other hand, everything else seems trivial. Sure, I have bad moments and go through difficult times, but I have God’s love actually pouring into my heart....
Saturday, June 15, 2019 | Reflections
The chief priests, scribes, and elders come to Jesus and ask him all sorts of aggressive questions. Why can’t they just stop for a moment and listen to the message Jesus presents? The reason: Pride, plain and simple. The good news Jesus consistently teaches strips...
Friday, June 14, 2019 | Reflections
Jesus is both fully God and fully human, and in this gospel reading we see this description of him borne out quite well. As he draws near Jerusalem, Jesus weeps out of sadness and frustration at people’s blindness to what is right in front of them. The Living Word...
Thursday, June 13, 2019 | General Convention
Ghazwan holding chicks in a farm previously destroyed by ISIS. Photos courtesy of International Christian Concern and Stand With Iraqi Christians [Episcopal News Service] At a cost of $5 each, chicks are helping Iraq’s Christian chicken farmers rebuild their...
Thursday, June 13, 2019 | Reflections
Paul writes about the thorn in his flesh, which reminds him of his human frailty—but we still aren’t sure what he is talking about. Whatever this “thorn” is, Paul prays to the Lord for it to be taken away, but the answer he wants doesn’t come. God answers Paul’s...
