Anyone who has worked with me for very long knows that I admonish all my priests and bishops to remember that they are always deacons. This confuses many people and others feel it is beneath them to be deacons. Why? Because to be a deacon means to be a servant to all. Jesus in this … Read more
It seems every time I turn on the news, there is another story about politicians complaining about people coming across our southern border. Interestingly enough, there is rarely any mention of the people coming across our northern border which has far more locations to pass unchecked than the southern border. This was highlighted recently by … Read more
Our readings this weekend have been used by many people throughout the centuries to excuse bad behavior by rulers, presidents, and governments. During the days of the slave trade, white ministers would use the fact that the government approved of slavery as proof that God approved of it as well. After all, God appointed our … Read more
This Sunday we have a chance to read the great Christ Hymn out of Philippians. It is an amazing hymn written early in Paul’s Christian walk before the time when he started to be influenced to turn back toward a more Christian/Jewish mesh of faith. Part of what is amazing about this passage, Philippians 2:1-11, … Read more
This Sunday we hear the story of the landowner who hired people to work in his vineyard throughout the day. At the end of the day, he paid each worker the same wage regardless of whether they worked all day or only two hours. Those that worked all day became angry because they expected to … Read more
Our lectionary over the past few weeks has been making sure that we know how important forgiveness is. And this Sunday’s readings are no exception. As I sat down to write this blog post, the one thought that would not leave me was how important it is to forgive ourselves first. We hear about forgiving … Read more
I sound like a broken record most of the time. I preach about what our calling as Christians is and for many of you, it is a message that you are tired of hearing. But like the prophet Jeremiah in this Sunday’s first reading, I cannot be silent for the message burns in my soul. … Read more
This Weeks text focuses on the Keys of the Kingdom. Long used as a defense of the church hierarchy and the common persons defense of it, there are some radical ways of looking at this text from Matthew. Primarily around the building around the petras or “rock”. Long thought to be a clever play on … Read more
This Sunday’s readings have Jesus calling a woman asking for his help a dog. This seems so out of character for Jesus that many people choose to ignore the story altogether. But there is a good explanation for the entire exchange between Jesus, his disciples and the woman. Jesus’ conversation with his disciples show that … Read more
The last few weeks have been dark for me. My health has been very touch and go and my family continues to struggle financially, health-wise, and with attacks from very hateful “Christians”. I have struggled with the darkness that creeps up when you have CPTSD, depression, and anxiety. This Sunday’s readings are a reminder that … Read more