This past Sunday was the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord — recalling Joseph and Mary presenting the infant Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2:22-40), to dedicate him, as their firstborn, to God. I love this feast day because it includes one of my favorite passages from Scripture, the Nunc dimittis, or Song of … Continue reading Good news — You may now be dismissed
Anglo Catholic
Answer the call, and be present, in love
Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is … Continue reading Answer the call, and be present, in love
The rewards of patience
The 14th century English phrase "Patience is a virtue" is believed to stem from the much older Latin, "Maxima enim, patientia virtus," -- "Patience is the greatest virtue." But, in English or Latin, the core lesson of these maxims has eluded me for much of my life. Not that I don't understand that patience is … Continue reading The rewards of patience
Praying with Mary and Elizabeth
Today is the Feast of the Visitation, recounting the episode in Luke’s Gospel in which Mary, who’s just been told by the angel Gabriel she will give birth to Jesus, goes to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. In Luke 1, starting at the 39th verse, we’re told: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in … Continue reading Praying with Mary and Elizabeth
Praying for Peace with Our Lady of Fatima
After my last piece on thin places, I decided to spend some time today in another of my favorite thin places -- the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, in the small town of Bison, Oklahoma. Quite by accident I noticed (yes, I had overlooked) that today was the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, recalling the … Continue reading Praying for Peace with Our Lady of Fatima
Death and life eternal: Our faith, in 10 simple words
Death. It is a tough topic. And, for many of us, it is an uncomfortable one. But, it is unavoidable. I have had to overcome my own fears of being around death and dying in the last two years of nursing home ministry. In this environment, death always is nearby in space and time. It … Continue reading Death and life eternal: Our faith, in 10 simple words
Learning to surrender, with the strength of Mary
“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
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
James R. Neal 