Jesus is sitting in the synagogue, as he normally does on the Sabbath. Today he is the lay liturgist for the service, so he is invited to the pulpit. “Brother Jesus, would you please read the Word of the Lord today.” Jesus unrolls the scroll of Isaiah and proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is… Read more »
Good art is a medium through which we are transported beyond ourselves. It is a symbol, a sign, which points to a truth beyond its brushstrokes, masonry, or melody. Without a means of pointing to the truth beyond our self, the only place to turn is inward. When humanity turns inward, generosity, kindness, and love… Read more »
Gracious God, your power was revealed when you raised Christ from the dead and seated him at your right hand to divide the nations as judge. Guide us through Christ in the power of the Spirit, so that we may inherit your promise and be filled with the courage to embody that promise to those… Read more »
Several weeks ago one of my good friends, whom I’ll call Levi, received a well-deserved promotion within a big name bank. Soon after hearing the news, people began to occupy Wall Street. Coincidence? Yes; however this growing protest, (not sure I would call it a movement) which I initially lauded as a Christ-centered turning of… Read more »
Gracious God, Creator of the universe from whose word of truth we have been born as firstfruits of your creatures: make us quick to listen and slow to speak, that the word within us may take root to nourish all our living, and that we may be blessed in all our doing. Holy Father, in… Read more »
Gracious God, our help in ages past, accept our worship as a living sacrifice so that we may be transformed by the power of your Holy Spirit, to be one in the body of Christ. Fill our mind with the wisdom of saints so that we may not conform to the world, but be transformed… Read more »
What must I do to inherit eternal life? It’s an ancient question. It seems that each individual of each and every denomination has an answer. For some gaining this inheritance is as rigorous as a monastic life of solitude. For others it’s as simple as a confession of Jesus’ Lordship on the way to the… Read more »
Jacob has come to a “certain place,” an unnamed place in the midst of darkness on the outskirts of town. He has come to this certain place because he’s on the run. From the day he was born Jacob was a trickster. When he and his twin brother, Esau, were born, Jacob was clutching Esau’s… Read more »
Gracious God, you care for us with compassion and firmness, urging us to grow in love for you. Teach us your way and your truth. Root us in you alone, that we may fulfill our role and our work in righteousness, mercy, and compassion. Holy Father, Father of Christ who is the way, the… Read more »
I am a huge Doctor Who fan. I remember watching Tom Baker and his flipped-out scarf with my father late at night on public television. I was always fascinated with the Doctor’s TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space). It’s basically his time machine which looks like a blue, retro British Police Box. One of… Read more »