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
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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
Putting down roots
Readings: Leviticus 19.1-2, 15-18 Psalm 1 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8 Matthew 22.34-46 They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; * everything they do shall prosper. --Psalm 1.3 Life can be bonkers and it is really easy to lose our bearings, especially since the … Continue reading Putting down roots
St. Luke and the everydayness of the Good News
Readings: Sirach 38.1-4, 6-10, 12-14 Psalm 147 2 Timothy 4.5-13 Luke 4.14-21 In the Gospel reading from Luke we get one of my favorite passages from all of the Gospels mostly because it is one of my favorite passages from the Prophets, but also because it gives us insight into the everydayness of the Good … Continue reading St. Luke and the everydayness of the Good News
Prayers for Somalia
This past Saturday, there was a bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia that killed over 300 people. Our hearts are broken for the Somali people who have endured so much and we pray for all those killed, wounded, or whose spirits are broken by this attack. Waxaan ahay Soomaali (I am Somali). Waxaan nahay Soomaali (We are … Continue reading Prayers for Somalia
The Listening Post
Happy Tuesday! This past weekend was a bit of a whirlwind for me. Part of my weekend was going to a campus ministry committee meeting at the Indiana-Kentucky Synod HQ in Indianapolis, IN. It was a great chance to meet my colleagues and get inspired. The greatest inspiration I got during the meeting was listening … Continue reading The Listening Post
Francis of Assisi
Today is the day we commemorate Francis of Assisi. The commemoration of saints is emphasized differently in different Christian traditions but Francis tends to show up in a lot of traditions. He is remembered mainly for his relationship with the natural world but his commitment to absolute poverty has begun to reemerge since 2013 and … Continue reading Francis of Assisi
I don’t have answers
As you might imagine, it has been an immensely difficult morning. I've tried several times to write this post. It's too much. I don't have the answer for everyone, but let me tell you what I am committing myself to. I am going to pray. Not the bargaining with God prayer or the "Why, God? Why?!" … Continue reading I don’t have answers
500 years this October
St. Augustine's has the honor to participate in the celebrations surrounding the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther sparking the Reformation. There are three events in October: Oct 1 at 2:00 p.m. - there will be a concert at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Fellowship will follow. Oct 8 at 7:00 p.m. - St. Augustine's … Continue reading 500 years this October
