"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 One of the first people I met in nursing home ministry was Bruce, … Continue reading Be the bridge of reconciliation
Eucharist
Let Christ do the doing
Anamnesis -- A walk into the Real Presence of Christ The most rewarding part of my week usually is when I take the Eucharist to nursing home residents. A chance to pray together, to worship, reflect on Scripture and administer the Sacrament of Unction (anointing with oil) -- this service as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor … Continue reading Let Christ do the doing
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
The call to ordination, and to the grace of the Eucharist
I am always fascinated by the story of how clergy came to discern and surrender to the call to ministry. Some are more inspiring than others, and this one, written after the ordination of Rev. Janie Koch in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, was particularly so to me, especially in her explanation of the meaning … Continue reading The call to ordination, and to the grace of the Eucharist
James R. Neal 