A Positively Poetic Priest

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Third Sunday of Advent BCP 212) Sorely hindered. Check. In need of help. Check. In need of mercy. Check. This has been a hard year. Instead of settling into a reliable pattern, this year has shifted and moved and confused us all. It is almost as if someone did stir up us all up, and with any stirring, what was on top before has fallen, what was on the bottom before has come to the top, and generally everything is different now. I like this prayer, but praying it means that things will only change more, not less. When Jesus comes to stir the world, life definitely changes!  Thankfully through any stirring, God continues working good for us. Throughout this year, this pandemic, these daily crises...

"So they [Mary Magdalene and the other Mary] left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples." (Matthew 28:1-10) The first Easter Sunday was not the glorious celebration we are used to having. The first Easter Sunday was a few women and men who were absolutely confused, frightened, and a little bit hopeful. The first Easter Sunday dawned sad and grief stricken by the early disciples. Their teacher and loving friend was dead and they were afraid and didn't know what to do. But the women did what women always do, they took care of the business at hand. They went to Jesus' tomb to prepare his body for proper burial. Only, he wasn't there, which was outright confusing and frightening all on its own, not to mention the earthquake and the angel speaking to them. I think it is helpful to remember the real Easter morning story this year. We are not in a place to be able to celebrate wholeheartedly. We cannot laugh off the care...