James R. Neal

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Good news — You may now be dismissed

February 7, 2020 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

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

Sowing in fertile soil

July 15, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, … Continue reading Sowing in fertile soil

Waiting in joy and praise

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4b-5 This scene occurs immediately before the Ascension, and Jesus is telling the apostles to wait patiently … Continue reading Waiting in joy and praise

Our border policies on children: a bipartisan travesty

June 1, 2018 / jamesrneal / 1 Comment

  It’s unacceptable to abuse and terrorize children. As Americans, we shouldn’t need to debate that. Yet here we are. Much has been made in the last week of how we treat children at the border, and that we somehow misplaced 1,475 of those children. All of this sparked much outrage — as it should … Continue reading Our border policies on children: a bipartisan travesty

Asking in the name of salvation

May 25, 2018May 26, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  John 16:20, 23b Jesus has just told the disciples he'll … Continue reading Asking in the name of salvation

Fostering understanding through ‘Mercy’

May 14, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

OKLAHOMA CITY — As a boy, Imam Imad Enchassi saw two radically different views of Christianity — one of peace and love, the other of violence committed in God's name. As an adult, Enchassi works to foster peace and understanding between Oklahoma's Muslim community and Christians, Jews and other faith groups — a mission he … Continue reading Fostering understanding through ‘Mercy’

Ascension: bringing the Incarnation full-circle

May 13, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

Thursday was Ascension Day, one of the most important and yet least celebrated events in the broader Church calendar. We’ve just had Easter — the celebration of our Lord’s bodily Resurrection. The grave and sin were conquered. Then, we had 40 days to walk with the risen Lord through the Easter season, until the Gospel … Continue reading Ascension: bringing the Incarnation full-circle

Finding our identity in Christ

April 15, 2018April 15, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

This post originally was delivered as a sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Okla., Sunday, 15 April, 2018. Readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary Year B. Mr. Ralph Alsman, of Brookville, Ind., was by most standards an unremarkable man. The 25 year-old man led a fairly normal … Continue reading Finding our identity in Christ

Our call, beyond the tomb

April 7, 2018April 7, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

He is risen. Those three simple words tell us the meaning of Easter. Christ was crucified. Christ is risen. After suffering death on the cross and descending to the dead, Jesus conquered death, rose again and forever opened the door for us to follow him out of the grave. The first evangelism of Christ’s resurrection … Continue reading Our call, beyond the tomb

Fasting: our Lenten call to action

February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

Most of us start Lent asking ourselves, or being asked, what we will give up. This act of giving something up – a favorite food, a frivolous pastime or common distraction – is all many people know of Lent, and can broadly be categorized as fasting. The practice of fasting is an ancient and important … Continue reading Fasting: our Lenten call to action

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