“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” I love these sparse and courageous words from Mary, in response to the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin that she will bear the Messiah. Mary's willingness to surrender, on the spot, to God, to give herself over … Continue reading Learning to surrender, with the strength of Mary
Month: April 2019
Touch, rest in Jesus’ wounds, and doubt no more
A sermon for Evening Prayer, Sunday, April 28, 2019, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Oklahoma. A reading from the Gospel according to St. John, 20:19-31 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the … Continue reading Touch, rest in Jesus’ wounds, and doubt no more
Genocide persists because of our collective indifference
This post, originally published in the Enid News & Eagle on Friday, April 26, 2019, is a modified version of the April 24, 2019 sermon delivered for Noonday Prayers at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Oklahoma. When the late Nobel Laureate and noted Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel reflected on the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, … Continue reading Genocide persists because of our collective indifference
Genocide remembrance: Love, indifference and the long-suffering of God
This post originally was delivered as a sermon for Noonday Prayers at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla., April 24, 2019. "If a thing is free to be good it's also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible." C .S. Lewis, in this brief quote from "The … Continue reading Genocide remembrance: Love, indifference and the long-suffering of God
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross, taken from "Beauty beyond words: Encountering Christ through art at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church" As Christians we are called to take up our cross and follow Christ. The Stations of the Cross, or Way of the Cross, is a 14-step reflection on the last day of Jesus’s human life, from being condemned to death … Continue reading Stations of the Cross
The transgender ban — a betrayal of trust
I’m seldom saddened or shocked by the news anymore. Like many Americans, I’ve become somewhat numb to our country’s dystopian angst. But, an article this week from my beloved Naval Academy hurt just enough to shake me from my desensitized state. The headline from the CBS news piece read: “Naval Academy to ban transgender students … Continue reading The transgender ban — a betrayal of trust
Good Friday calls us to walk in love, humility, sacrifice
In a society that increasingly calls us to worldly power, to the temptations of empire and enterprise, today — Good Friday — calls us back to The Way, to the path of humility, peace and self-sacrificial love. We know today as the day of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. But, it also is the capstone of Christ’s … Continue reading Good Friday calls us to walk in love, humility, sacrifice
‘ALL ABOUT CHRIST’ — Group extends grace to current, former inmates
ENID, Okla. — Each Sunday morning, 20-30 men and women gather at Grace Place, an annex of Emmanuel Enid, to have Bible study, sing contemporary worship songs and learn practical ways to apply biblical messages to everyday life. The worship service isn’t unlike many other church groups in Enid, with one exception — almost all the worshipers … Continue reading ‘ALL ABOUT CHRIST’ — Group extends grace to current, former inmates
OPENING A DOOR: Episcopal and Orthodox congregations sharing space in new collaboration
ENID, Okla. — East meets West in a new collaboration between faith traditions, with members of a local mission parish of the Russian Orthodox Church meeting for worship services in a chapel at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. An expanding service The Russian Orthodox congregation held its first service and fellowship dinner at St. Matthew’s, 518 … Continue reading OPENING A DOOR: Episcopal and Orthodox congregations sharing space in new collaboration
Hate has no home here — but love must
This post originally was published in the Enid News & Eagle (Enid, Okla.) on Friday, April 5, 2019 after two incidents of Nazi and white supremacist vandalism at five locations in Norman and Oklahoma City. Norman Police Department has since arrested one woman in connection with the crimes. One year ago I wrote about … Continue reading Hate has no home here — but love must
James R. Neal 