The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista reflects on Psalm 137, anger, and the precarious edge between hatred and apathy: “Rather than standing aloof, withdrawn from the realities we face day in and day out, God leans in, takes on human flesh, and lives among us. God took on the flesh of a poor man from a backwater town in Galilee in what we now know as the Middle East, a man familiar with the grief within anger and the pain of loss.”
The Rev. George Adamik reflects on Luke 16:19-31 (the rich man and Lazarus), his recent visit to Nantucket, and a surprising encounter with a well-known icon. You can read more about Fr. George’s visit to Nantucket in St. Paul’s October newsletter.
The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman (XII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina) visits St. Paul’s and discusses the difficult parable in Luke 16:1-13 (Parable of the Unjust Steward).
Luke 15:1-10
I’ve been paying close attention to graffiti lately. One did catch my eye, … a small heart etched on the wall, and a message within that heart, “You are tolerated,” it read….
The Rev. George Adamik reflects on Jesus’s challenging call to followers in Luke 14:25-33.
The Rev. George Adamik reflects on the history of Labor Day and today’s gospel (Luke 14:1, 7-14).
The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista reflects on Jesus’s message about how the sabbath guides our relationship with God and the work we do (Luke 13:10-17): “The sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for sabbath. The root of the command is to create the space for relationship with God and our neighbors; the nature of God’s work among us is to free us for meaningful rest and for meaningful work.”
Luke 12:49-56
George shares his thoughts on his recent sabbatical and on the quote, “When we’re not hungry for justice, it’s usually because we’re too full with privilege.”
The Rev. Melanie Mudge reflects on fear and faith (Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:32-40): “Don’t be afraid to discover the difference we each can make in God’s world.”
Luke 12:13-21
Have you ever bought new stuff to organize and hold your old stuff in order to make room for more stuff? Do you sometimes find and bring home good boxes knowing that someday you’ll probably have some stuff to put in those boxes? Have you ever been so envious of or wishful for another’s life that you were unable or unwilling to celebrate his or her successes, abilities, or good fortune? You look at them and say to yourself, “What about me?” ….