Tuesday, December 17, 2019
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory...
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
When we read today’s lesson from Revelation, I hope we understand that the word to the church in Laodicea is actually a word meant for all God’s people: “I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you.” In...
Monday, December 16, 2019
by the Rev. Fred Devall, Rector, St. Martin’s, Metairie December has always been my favorite month in Louisiana. The sasanquas and camellias come into bloom, while the cypress needles transform to a beautiful hue of orange/brown. The heat is long...
Monday, December 16, 2019
Three years ago I was in Ghana. I stood in shock, staring at the dusty trail trod by hundreds of thousands of stolen Africans. Countless people were force-marched from the interior territories of West Africa to the coast, stepping over the dead for hundreds of miles...
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Why do we long so much to be in touch with the living God? I hope it isn’t because we’re scared or expect some tangible reward for good behavior. Look to the prophets: As much as they rail, as angry and anxious as they feel, they are actively trying to turn people’s...
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Prior to ordination, I worked as a newspaper journalist. I didn’t have much of a faith to speak of, but I was transfixed by the stories of people whose lives depended on faith. It was an honor and a wonder to listen to and convey their stories to a secular,...
Friday, December 13, 2019
There is an old story about a henhouse that burns to the ground. In the ashes, the farmer discovers the charred body of a mother hen. When he lifts her remains, he is surprised to discover the chicks still underneath her, warm but unscathed. This is what a mother hen...
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Do you have the keys? My husband and I always doublecheck that we have keys before we leave the apartment. It’s no fun being locked out of your own home, especially if there’s no one else with keys to let you in. We rent our apartment, so you can imagine how...
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Does this sound familiar? You’re 110 percent enthusiastic about an idea, research it thoroughly, and start with gusto. Maybe it’s a new workout regimen, a crafting hobby, or a small side business. You dive in, but the energy fizzles. Faith can be like this....
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Who says you need an education, credentials, and a respectable backstory to speak for God? Certainly the Holy One of Israel never says this. If anything, the story of scripture proves the exact opposite.Amos is not a prophet. He’s not even the son or grandson or...
