We are living in a time when labels are becoming more important than relationship and understanding. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or Atheist. White, black, hispanic, asian, Native American, or indigenous? Straight or Gay? Republican or Democrat? These lists are far from exhaustive, but they demonstrate the ways we have insisted on labeling ourselves and others.…
Priest’s Blog
St. Thomas-Past, Present, and Future
Though we often develop routines that make our lives somewhat predictable, our lives are always changing, in big ways and in small ways. And because our communities are made up of people who are constantly changing, and even the very people who make up the communities around us are changing as people move due to…
Uncomfortable Faith Conversations
Episcopalians are great at a lot of things—throwing a party, organizing a meeting, worshipping together despite theological differences (usually). But one thing we Episcopalians tend to not do terribly well is talking to people about our faith. But our reticence to talk about our faith stems from good intentions. We don’t want to be pushy…
Saint Bartholomew’s Honorable Mentions
If you were asked to name Jesus’ Apostles, some of the names would be easy for a Christian to come up with—people like Peter, John, even Judas all played significant roles in the Gospel narratives. However, when we think of the twelve apostles, Bartholomew is probably one of the last names to come up. It’s…
Pilgrimage Blog, day 5- Heal to Serve
When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. -Matthew 8:17 Yesterday’s post was about healing-discovering what it is we need to heal and supporting others who are struggling. But what’s…
Pilgrimage Blog, day 4-Being Vulnerable Enough to Heal
When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and there was a leper who came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See…
Pilgrimage Blog, day 3- Stuck Between a Rock and an Old Place
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears…
Pilgrimage blog, day 2- Good Fruit and Prickly Thorns
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. –Matthew 7:13-14 Which gate are we choosing to take…
Pilgrimage blog, day 1- Fizzling Fires and Dramatic Explosions!
‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, “Let…
A prayer in response to the mass shooting in Orlando
Almighty and merciful God, we ask that you receive into your tender and loving care all those who were killed in the mass shooting in Orlando. Comfort those who mourn. Be with the medical personnel who have been entrusted with the care of the injured. Give strength and perseverance to those who work towards the…