A reflection on Anglican writer and mystic Evelyn Underhill This post was delivered as a sermon, June 19, 2019, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Oklahoma. In our Gospel reading today, Christ invites us to a new journey, to go beyond our holy mountains, our temples and the trappings of this world, and to rest … Continue reading The Journey Within
Episcopal
Going beyond Scripture
Scripture is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource for any traveler on The Way of Christ. We must immerse ourselves in the Word, and in it find God's instruction and His nourishment for our souls along life's path. But, is there more we must do to understand and truly digest God's teaching beyond mastering the written … Continue reading Going beyond Scripture
‘Won’t back down’
A reflection on Bernard Mizeki, catechist of the faith and martyr "Well I won’t back down; No I won’t back down; You can stand me up at the gates of Hell; But I won’t back down." I've always loved those lyrics from Tom Petty's 1989 song "I Won't Back Down." They speak of courage, steadfastness — … Continue reading ‘Won’t back down’
James at St. James — At home on the road
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to travel for business to Wichita, Kan., to interview two sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. I am publishing that story a week from Sunday, and will have more here afterward. But, while I was in Wichita, about two hours north of our home in Enid, … Continue reading James at St. James — At home on the road
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
Secularization. The death of a thin place.
Much is made these days of the secularization of society -- the loss of influence of Christianity, and religion in general, in society at large. I've generally considered this a topic for the coasts and Europe. Here in the buckle of America's Bible Belt, where a town of 50,000 gladly supports more than 100 churches, … Continue reading Secularization. The death of a thin place.
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
