St. Peter and St. Paul and the Octave of Christian Unity

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Dana Kramer-Rolls danadkr@yahoo.com Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns...

A Different Kind of Fishing Trip

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Mark 1:14-20   Last week we had the expression, “I saw you under the fig tree.” Jesus was talking to Nathaniel and he was saying, “I know you are a man of the Torah.” That’s what being under the fig tree means, “gathering figs” is a reference to Torah study....

An insight from someone special

Friday, January 19, 2018

Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.’ 52The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.” 53Are you greater than our father...

The Feast Day of Wulfstan of Worcester

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Psalm 146:4-9 Genesis 26:26-31 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 John 15:5-8,14-16   In our Gospel reading for the feast of Wulfstan of Worcester today, Jesus says that he is the vine and his disciples are the branches.  One might say that Wulfstan was a branch that was pretty...

Manifesting the Kingdom of Heaven

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

It’s January 18 and I still have my Christmas tree up.  It felt like a very short Christmas season this year, so I can’t yet bear to put away the twinkly lights and the homemade ornaments with their simple, joyous beauty.  The little tree stands in the...

God calling

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

One of my favorite “comfort movies” is a sweet little gem from 2000 starring Edward Norton (who also directed), Ben Stiller, and Jenna Elfman called Keeping the Faith. The basic outline of the film is the friendship between Brian, a Roman Catholic priest, and Jake, an...

Our father who art in heaven …

Monday, January 15, 2018

It’s late. A Sunday night after a full day of ministry. A Sunday after missed naps. A Sunday after toys, meals, baths, and playtime. A Sunday with moments of quiet and moments of chaos. Gathered together on the bed we read stories and then we pray. The toddler wants...

Why Confirmation and what has it to do with the Holy Spirit?

Sunday, January 14, 2018

When Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized by his cousin John it was much simpler. Water washed away the sins of the repentant. In Jesus’ case baptism was accompanied by the descent of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus’ disciples sat at his feet and listened, and...

A Call to Adventure

Saturday, January 13, 2018

John 1:43-51   I am from a small town. It’s called Sweeny, Texas. It’s not the least bit special. Well, it did snow on Christmas Day in 2004 and that was pretty special. People still talk about it. But even with that claim to fame, you might say that...

Epiphany Fireflies

Friday, January 12, 2018

The tree is down, the lights have been put away, the kings have gone to the stable and left their gifts, and here we are. But just because we celebrated Epiphany on January 6, it doesn’t mean that we can now forget about it. We’re in a whole season called...

Hero of the Moment

Thursday, January 11, 2018

In the readings for Friday’s Daily Office three of the major figures of the bible are mentioned. First, in the Old Testament reading we have the introduction of Noah. Then, in the New Testament, we have a mention of Moses. Finally in the Gospel we have Jesus...

Vowing to Follow

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Feast Day of St. Aelred Ruth 1:15-18 Ten years into our relationship, Rosean and I were finally able to have a commitment ceremony. Our dear friend Ann Fontaine had been ordained a couple of years earlier, and she was willing to preside.  We invited friends from both...

Shine

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

The Collect for this coming Sunday, the Second after the Epiphany: Almighty God, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacrament, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be...

One Year: God shows up

Monday, January 8, 2018

It’s been one year since I began this weekly writing. That’s a lot of words. A lot of prayers. A lot of reflections. A lot of time spent wondering if my words even matter. A lot of emotions. A lot of feelings poured onto the page.   I give thanks for the...