What does it mean to us today that the Kingdom of God has come near? This is the question we have to ask ourselves after hearing the reading from Mark last week where Jesus proclaims, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." Jesus central … Continue reading The Time is Fulfilled
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Remembering our Common Life
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This prayer comes from Compline (prayers … Continue reading Remembering our Common Life
Manifestation
Right now we are in the season of the Church year called "The Season after the Epiphany". It is the season following the feast of the Epiphany (surprise) and it comes between the Nativity Cycle (Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) and the Resurrection Cycle (Lent and Easter seasons). It is also known as "Ordinary Time". This … Continue reading Manifestation
Choices
A few years ago I saw this image and every year it makes the rounds. Here is a link to the blog where I found it and where you can see it full sized. Usually it makes me unspeakably sad, but this year it has worked on me differently. It almost gives be hope because … Continue reading Choices
R.P.U.G.T.
The readings for this Sunday include one of my absolute favorite readings. It is one of my faves not because it is particularly inspiring by itself, or because it is in one of my favorite of Paul's letters, but it is one of my favorite readings because of a personal connection to it. A few … Continue reading R.P.U.G.T.
Student reflection: Grace
Writing a reflection about my experience as a St. Augustine’s campus ministry student is a project I find exciting but also daunting, because there is so much to say that I have no idea where to begin. I find myself wanting to start, ironically enough, with the beginning of it though, back when I came … Continue reading Student reflection: Grace
The Reign of Christ
Christ the King Sunday as a celebration was added to the church's calendar very recently. It started in the aftermath of the First World War, and was instituted to remind Christians that nations and rulers are not the powers to which we owe our allegiance. We remember that we have no idols to whom we … Continue reading The Reign of Christ
Advent is coming or is here
There has been some interest in recent years on the liturgical renewal of a seven week Advent. I thought I might give my thoughts on the matter. In the early days of the liturgical calendar there were several competing versions of the calendar. It took a while for it all to get standardized. In the western … Continue reading Advent is coming or is here
I saw a new heaven and a new earth…
There is a lot of anxiety in the world today. It's understandable given the state of things. It feels like the world is out of control, nothing and no one is safe. I count the number of those who have died a violent death in the last few weeks and it is enough to make … Continue reading I saw a new heaven and a new earth…
Not another All Saints’ Reflection
Micah 3.5-12 Psalm 43 1 Thessalonian 2.9-13 Matthew 23.1-12 One of the quirks of the liturgical calendar and year is that the festival of All Saints' may be celebrated on both November 1st (today) and also on the following Sunday. When this happens, as it will in most congregations, the usual Sunday readings are displaced … Continue reading Not another All Saints’ Reflection