Today, Holy Saturday, is a solemn day. It is a day for mourning. It is a day for grief. It is a day to process what just has happened. Jesus is just hours into the grave. His blood still can be seen atop Golgotha, and on the hard wood of the cross. Our ears still … Continue reading Holy Saturday. A day to mourn. A day to rejoice
Episcopal
Good Friday readings and prayer
Prepare for The Way of the Lamb
We read yesterday the excerpt from the Last Supper account in which Judas leaves to betray Jesus. Judas’ betrayal is drawn out of the Gospel and made the focus on Spy Wednesday, as a reflection on Judas’ decision to follow wealth and turn his back on Christ. If we read the Gospel of St. John … Continue reading Prepare for The Way of the Lamb
Scripture readings for Thursday in Holy Week
Playing the part of Judas
At my home parish, on Palm Sunday we usually divvy up the parts in the Passion narrative from Matthew. It is a long reading — almost two chapters — and it keeps everyone engaged far more than listening to a lay reader drone on for 10 minutes. Each part in the Passion is assigned to … Continue reading Playing the part of Judas
Scripture readings for Wednesday in Holy Week
Sometimes we must withdraw to advance
How do we advance when everything tells us to withdraw? For an answer, I turn to an unlikely source for a faith-based reflection — the rough and salty U.S. Marine Corps General Oliver Smith. Gen. Smith was one of the commanding generals of Allied forces during the Korean War. Very early in the war Smith’s … Continue reading Sometimes we must withdraw to advance
Dying to our little grains of wheat
This day, Tuesday in Holy Week, is easily overlooked in the journey of Holy Week. Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday. Good Friday. Holy Saturday. These all have easily recognizable markers in the path of Jesus from earthly ministry to resurrected Lord. But, this Tuesday, this third day in Holy Week, is essential to us, and to … Continue reading Dying to our little grains of wheat
The question we cannot escape: “Do you believe this?”
Do you remember those WWJD bracelets everyone was wearing around in the early- to mid-2000s? “What Would Jesus Do?” It’s an important question. But, perhaps a better question is: What would we do? What would we do if we encountered the resurrected Lord? If we really saw, face-to-face, His power in this world? Our reading … Continue reading The question we cannot escape: “Do you believe this?”
Faith in the furnace
How do we live when we are surrounded by the fires of life? I don’t mean “How do we survive?” Each of us will die. How and when is in God’s loving hands. What I mean is, “How do we live?” How do we face the fires and storms of this life? And how do … Continue reading Faith in the furnace
Sanctifying the time of fire
From the service of Noonday Prayer, Wednesday, 1 April 2020.
Come to the crucifix, and be lifted up
Why are symbols so important to us? Specifically, why are symbols important to us as Christians? Many symbols, like the anchor, pomegranate, dove and lily — just a few among hundreds — draw their significance from Scripture. For example, in Hebrews 6:19 — “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and … Continue reading Come to the crucifix, and be lifted up
The roles we play
In my sophomore year of high school I tried out for the play “Up the Down Staircase,” by Christopher Sergel, based on the book by Bel Kaufman. I did not expect much from the casting. In my high school years I was, to put it mildly, uptight. Straight-laced. Prudish. Moralistic. Narrow-minded. Stick in the mud. … Continue reading The roles we play
“Memento mori” — Finding life in the valley of bones
During this season of Lent, many of you may still be doing your taxes, or maybe recently finished your taxes. And, we often quip that taxes — our paying what is due to Caesar — is one of the two great certainties in this life. The other, of course, is death. For many — perhaps … Continue reading “Memento mori” — Finding life in the valley of bones
Memento mori…
Service of Noonday Prayer, March 29, 2020, the Fifth Sunday in Lent