The readings for this Sunday might easily be summarized as stay focused and keep it simple. The collect of the day states that all God’s commandments can be summarized as love God and love neighbor, as devoted to God “with our whole heart and united to one another with pure affection.” In Galatians, St. Paul […]
Faithfulness Rewarded
Elisha knew that he was not worthy to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Elijah. As Elijah approached his last days, Elisha proclaimed that he would not leave his side. His faithfulness was reworded by receiving “a double share” of the Spirit and also receiving the stole of Elijah to carry on his ministry. […]
God Assures Us
In a competition to see what “god” could end the seven-year drought in ancient Israel, Elijah, the prophet of the God of Israel defeated the prophets of Baal, the God of Queen Jezebel. With a cloud rising out of the Mediterranean sea, the drought ended. Queen Jezebel was furious and threatened the life of Elijah […]
Follow His Lead
John 16: 12 is one of my favorite passages of scripture. Jesus said to his disciples on his last night with them: I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit comes, he will guide you into all truth…” Just as the disciples that night were […]
Wayward & Dutiful
Lord Jesus Christ, who didst stretch out thine arms of loveon the hard wood of the cross that everyone might comewithin the reach of thy saving embrace: So clothe us in thySpirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bringthose who do not know thee to the knowledge and love ofthee; for the […]
Saint Patrick
When God first startled him during a dream, inviting him to go back to where he lived as a slave for five years, he said, “No”. Yet after prayer and conversation with others this English bishop agreed. So back across the sea of Ireland went Patrick to the island of Ireland. For the next 30 […]
Temptations
Before the people of Israel ended their 40 years of wilderness wandering Moses addressed them on the east side of the Jordan River. They were about to enter the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk & honey. Yet, even across the Jordan River, in the Promised Land, their faith would be challenged. They would […]
Joseph, Son of Jacob
The youngest of twelve, favorite of his father, Jacob, his brothers conspired to get rid of Joseph. At first they wanted to kill him, but for 20 pieces of silver, they sold him into slavery. Taken to Egypt, sold to PotiFar, captian of the Pharoah’s guard, he came to the notice of the Pharouh. Interpreting […]
The Clydesdales
Local television news has shared with us the story of two Clydesdale horses, the breed that pulls the red Budweiser beer wagon, breaking out of their pasture, pushing down fences, and wondering on to a frozen lake in the Poconos. That frozen lake was not solid enough to hold these 1,500 lb horses and they […]
Anointed to Serve
Jesus read in the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth from the prophet Isaiah, CHapter 60: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to […]