The Rev. Candy Snively discusses Isaiah 2:1-5 and the beginning of Advent: “Maybe we’ve depended a little too much on God transforming our spears and swords while we’re still swinging them, instead of laying them down long enough to make a few plowshares. But Advent is a time to repair what is broken, to heal what is hurt. It is the time to remember the work we need to do on our lives, our spirits, and our hearts.”
During this timely feast of Christ the King, the Rev. Carr Holland reflects on the vulnerability and compassion of Jesus (Luke 23:33-43): “There’s very little reflective listening in the actors who bring about Christ’s death. The passion and death of Christ is driven by fear, deep human fear. Fear of the potential loss of power, fear of the divine Other’s expectations, fear of an expectation that we can grow more tender and less harsh. Fear that we will lose something.”
The Rev. Javier Almendárez Bautista considers what we can learn from the prophet Isaiah during uncertain times (Isaiah 65:17-25): “Our history is also long and complex, and we too may be facing a sense of uncertainty and insecurity.”
As we near the end of our stewardship campaign, Fr. George reflects on who we are as a parish community, where we are, and where we’re headed. Remember to pledge, and thank you for your support of St. Paul’s and its ministries.
The Rev. Carr Holland considers Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10): “In this political season, we can find Zacchaeus. In fact, we can find several of them. Someone who has prospered and you’re not sure by what means, how they have come by their wealth, and the level of their morality. Zacchaeus was despised by others, his own people, though he was rich. He had no place, so he was viewed by some as outside of God’s grace and care. Maybe we don’t all know his feeling of alienation, but many of us know what it’s like to come to a moment when we realize what we have held as important suddenly is not.”
The Rev. Javier Almendárez Bautista discusses Joel 2:23-32: “I’ve been thinking about water lately. Human beings, of course, are full of it. Its strength relies so heavily on its weakness. It is weak enough to roll off our hands, yet strong enough that it can creep through crevices of rock and stone and break them apart.”
Fr. George considers Jesus’s call to “pray always” in Luke 18:1-8: “Often, when we hear the word ‘praying,’ we think of saying prayers, but prayer has a broader meaning, especially in this time of incredible conflict.”
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7
Earlier this week I bought plane tickets to go visit my parents in Portland Oregon. I am excited to see my family here soon. One of the things I miss about my parents’ home is a minor, insignificant thing … the smell of fresh-brewed coffee….
The Rev. Candy Snively reflects on Luke 17:5-10: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’ They appear to be a bit overwhelmed by his teaching, and they turn to Jesus and ask for an increase in their faith. I think most of us have struggled with this at some point in our lives. If I just had more faith, I wouldn’t have so many questions or doubts. If I just had more faith, I would be a better person. But faith is not about size or quantity.”
Fr. George reflects on Luke 16:19-31: “The rich man didn’t hate Lazarus. He didn’t have any feelings about Lazarus. The rich man was just oblivious to Lazarus; he just wasn’t aware. […] Where are the places in our lives where there are people at the gate who we’re oblivious to?”