The story of Elijah’s ascension conjures a fantastic image of a chariot of fire with blazing horses swooping down from the heavens to carry him to God. Elisha remains where he stands, having had the chariot pass between him and his master as it took Elijah away. Remarkably, the scripture reports that Elijah watched the…
Category: Spiritual Reflection
The Seriousness of the Youngest Disciples
Many years ago, in my first position as a priest. I served a very small congregation in South Georgia. Long-time members welcomed transient ones from the Air Force base down the road. We loved it when these families arrived, even if we knew we would have them for less than five years. Their children especially…
For the Sport of It
Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number, creatures both small and great. There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, which you have made for the sport of it. – Psalm 104:26-27 1979 Episcopal Book of Common Prayer Translation How many times when my kids asked…
“Doubting” Thomas: A GOOD Role Model
The Sunday after Easter is known by several names. Most people will call it, “Low Sunday” because it is one of the Sundays churches experience the lowest attendance in worship. Everyone makes a big push on Easter to get the family to church, especially the members who normally don’t come. I think that takes so…
The Prodigal and the Pigs
A few weeks ago I stopped by the barn because I saw my brother walking alongside it. He had a terrible scowl on his face and I asked him what had happened. “I got attacked by a stupid pig!” He had grabbed one of the piglets to tag its ear. Apparently the mama didn’t take…
All Will Be Well…And Hell.
During the COVID quarantine, my friend and I read some of Julian of Norwich’s work. My friend had heard the saying, “All shall be well,” but was unaware of its origins. I was more than happy to introduce her to St. Julian, which felt especially fitting during lockdown. Julian of Norwich’s most often quoted text…
Saint Francis and the Error in Fundamentals
My friend and I are reading as a daily devotion Matthew Fox’s Christian Mystics: 365 Readings and Meditations. The selections are short and the meditations with accompanying questions encourage thought without requiring a day’s worth of contemplation and consternation. Today’s selection called up the moment of history when Saint Francis of Assisi stood before Pope…
God the Father and Father’s Day…it’s complicated.
Father’s Day is this week, which for many will mean cookouts and fun gifts for the dad in their life. Others will celebrate father figures and surrogate fathers by calling them or Facetiming or Zooming. There will be some shared stories and laughter and perhaps a hearty dose of nostalgia.But for others it can be…
Companions and Sources of Consolation
During the season of Easter we have heard stories in the lectionary from the Acts of the Apostles about the experiences of those who first took the good news of the gospel out into the world. One of those early heroes, who has a feast day this week on Saturday, June 11, is Saint Barnabas….
Sacrificing Busyness
Every Monday morning I share a reflection with our leadership team on campus. I try to find something that speaks to the season we’re in or to the particular work of the people in that room. This past week I started my search by thinking about spring, then the tensions in Ukraine, then the grief…
Prayerful Kitchen 