In silence we pray Rain falls as prayers ascend Soft flowing answers
Prayer
The uncomfortable path of truth
Delivered for Noon Prayer, 2.19.2020, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla., in observance of the Feast of Frederick Douglass (20 February). “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” That line, from our very brief Gospel reading today, is one of the most popular quotes from Scripture. But, what … Continue reading The uncomfortable path of truth
Listening to Creation
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the … Continue reading Listening to Creation
Be the bridge of reconciliation
"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
Good news — You may now be dismissed
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
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
Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden
At this time of year, with Christmas just a few hectic weeks away, any discussion of inner peace may seem abstract at best. If the shopping and cooking and decorating and wrapping and many social obligations don’t get your peace, then a family member is sure to bring up politics at the dinner table and … Continue reading Advent — Our Journey Back Into the Garden
For a love that transcends life…
This column originally published on Nov. 22, 2019, one day after a training mishap at Vance Air Force Base claimed the lives of Lt. Col. John “Matt” Kincade, 47, an instructor pilot assigned to the 5th Flying Training Squadron, survived by his wife and two sons, and 2nd Lt. Travis B. Wilkie, 23, a student … Continue reading For a love that transcends life…
‘Who am I?’
Note: This originally was delivered at Noon Mass at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Okla., on Wednesday, 23 October 2019. Unraveling our identity in Christ, with St. James I want to thank Fr. John for giving me the opportunity to preach on the Feast of St. James, since he is the source of my given … Continue reading ‘Who am I?’
Faith — Our passionate love affair with God
This sermon was delivered during Evening Prayer at Enid Community Corrections Center, on the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, Oct. 15, 2019, as part of the prison ministry of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Okla. Faith, I think, is best described as a passionate love affair between the soul and its Creator — between … Continue reading Faith — Our passionate love affair with God
James R. Neal 