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 | 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 | 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...
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Churchwork, Community Ministry, Reflections
by Helen Rose Patterson, Restore the Mississippi River Delta, as originally published in the June 2019 issue of Churchwork Restore the Mississippi River Delta is a coalition of the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Environmental Defense Fund,...
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Churchwork, Community Ministry, Reflections
by Tiffany Wilson, St. Marks, Harvey, as originally published in the June 2019 issue of Churchwork We built an organic community garden in the front yard of our church using mostly repurposed materials. It is surrounded by a brightly colored picket fence and...
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Community Ministry, Reflections
by Deacon Joey Clavijo as originally published in the June 2018 issue of Churchwork Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Curry is always preaching about love. One of his most popular quotes is: “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.” If you asked...
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Message from Bishop Thompson, Reflections
Reflection by the Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr. as published in the June 2019 issue of Churchwork. In 1845, James Lowell wrote, “New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth.” I love this line and particularly his choice of words. I also love the...
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 | Reflections
We might look at this parable about money and think that the returning king was overly harsh with the servant who did nothing with the money entrusted to him. We would be missing Jesus’ point. I believe Jesus wants us to understand that we have been entru….(View...
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 | Reflections
Jesus warns his disciples that they will go out as “sheep into the midst of wolves,” and he gives them some instruction on how to handle being vulnerable and at risk of bodily harm. Jesus combines wisdom and innocence in ways that enable him to spread the good news...
Monday, June 10, 2019 | Reflections
The question Jesus poses to the blind man on the road to Jericho seems awkward. “What do you want me to do for you?” Obviously, the man wants to see. Everybody knows this—yet Jesus still asks the question. Jesus is concerned with what we need and want….(View...
