A Positively Poetic Priest

Last week or so ago, the parents of a bride whose wedding was called off gave the reception to 200 homeless people in Atlanta. 200 homeless women, men, and children were fed a banquet like none other through the teamwork of the mother and father of the bride and Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, an international organization with deep roots in Georgia. What an amazing gift to be able to share, for both the bride-not-to-be and the homeless to be fed on that day. Her parents are wonderful examples of people changing the world through their vision and their action. Jeremiah and Baruch from our first lesson today also make wonderful role models of people who are faithful to their vision and in their actions, despite their situations. Jeremiah is imprisoned in a city under siege by a powerful foreign army. Things are not looking good for the fate of Jerusalem or Jeremiah. Yet, God gives him a vision of the future which does not end in destruction. Jeremiah is...

I have my phone up here with me today. I’m expecting a call from God shortly… Brinnnggg, Bringgggg, Brinnngggg Oh! Yes, here it is. Hello? Yes… uh huh… Yes, Lord, I can do that. Thank you! Have a nice day. Wouldn’t that be so nice, if God just called us up, told us what we should do, and then we could go on our way? Yea, but God doesn’t work that way. Jeremiah shares how God called him to a life of God’s service. Not exactly an easy phone call, a bit more awe inspiring and intimidating. Jeremiah is a small boy, with a large awesome God. Thankfully Jeremiah shares with us his discernment of his call to life in God, even his protest. Jeremiah protests by saying “Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy,” even before he knows what God is calling him to do exactly. We do that sometimes, afraid of what might be coming, we protest before we even know what we are being called to do. Like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof whose calling was to be a faithful Jew in Ru...

Thursday September 19, 2013 Theodore of Tarsus Malachi 2:5-7 Psalm 71:18-23 2 Timothy 2:1-5, 10 Matthew 8:23-27 "True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of The Lord of hosts." Don't we all wish that such things could be said of all our priests, including someday all of us on the path to become priests? Don't we wish that all our priests were teachers of true wisdom, role models of integrity and uprightness, true messengers from God? I wish it was so. It is an ambitious goal. Instead, my life right now looks more like the lives of the disciples in the boat on that stormy day in Matthew's gospel. Afraid, covered in the mess of life, calling out for help from anyone, especially God. Thankfully, Jesus doe...

This sermon was given in August during a seminary orientation Eucharist on the feast day of Jeremy Taylor. “ Make us,” O God, “like your servant Jeremy Taylor, deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of human life.” I actually take enjoyment of sharing good news of death with you all during this first week here. Death was a fond friend of Jeremy Taylor’s, at least, his legacy of books, writings, and collections of prayers point to his ever searching want and wisdom to work towards a holy death in Christ. The collect of the day reminds us to be deeply aware of the shortness and uncertainty of our lives, I am sure many of you feel this uncertainty right now. Paul in Romans points to the reality that if we are living in Christ, then our death will be in Christ, Christ is ruler over both the dead and the living, we cannot stray away from God. The Gospel of John points beyond all human death to eternal life in Christ. He reminds us that God loves each of us, so much so that God w...

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Hopefully the sermons and reflections on this blog will be timely and in their season. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! I look forward to seeing and hearing your responses. :)

This is actually a sermon with a video on the my YouTube channel. Speak in tongues Did you find that as edifying as I did? I am guessing not. In the last few days, we have been listening to Paul make a point to the church in Corinth about having a community rather than an individual focus. Paul wishes the members of the church to do what is edifying and strengthening to the whole church. As much as the Corinthians and many of us want to do what is cool and will make us look good, such as speaking in tongues or having the coolest Twitter feed, what the church really needs is good prophecy. Someone who can speak truth to the church and isn't afraid of the consequences. Paul makes the point that good prophecy doesn't just instruct and build up the community, but it also reaches out to visitors, guests, those among us who are unsure of this way of life called Christianity. Episcopalians are not usually known for their good preaching or prophecy, but we can start ...