February 23, 2022

In Too Sensitive for this World, Deer Tick tells us that the world is such a careless and selfish place that it’s a wonder that anyone survives. Louis Armstrong, on the other hand, thinks to himself about how wonderful the world is. Where does the truth lie?

Scripture tells us that both Louie and Deer Tick are right. The world is rife with suffering and yet teeming with beauty and wonder. Through the grace of God, we know that all suffering has purpose and that all suffering will be redeemed. As Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Keeping our eyes on the cross helps, too. His suffering is our redemption.

“O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Last Sunday after Epiphany – BCP)

February 22, 2022

“Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray.” (Mark 1:35)

Have you ever noticed that dogs seem to be able to go from deep sleep to full sprint in less than 5 seconds? Humans tend to need more transition time; more time at the margins. Jesus clearly did. He often slipped off by Himself, after the fray, or before the day to pray.

The older I get the more I crave time at the margins. One wonders, in the end, if that is not the most important time of all.

“O heavenly Father, in whom we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray thee so to guide and govern us by thy Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget thee, but may remember that we are ever walking in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (A Collect for Guidance – BCP p. 57)

February 21, 2022

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

That is a tall order which exactly zero percent of us can fulfill. And yet, Jesus says it for a reason. 

As Beach Boys Brian Wilson sings, “I was standin' in a bar and watchin' all the people there. Oh the loneliness in this world well it's just not fair. Love and mercy that’s what we need tonight. Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight.”

Well, I can’t say it better than Jesus. Or Brian. So instead of talking, it seems like a good idea to pray. Because love and mercy that’s what we need today, tonight, and tomorrow.

“O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Seventh Sunday after Epiphany – BCP)

February 18, 2022

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

I’ve basically stopped buying Valentine’s Day/Birthday/Christmas presents for my wife, because she always returns them. This was an issue for a while. Now, I happily accept the reality that gift giving isn’t really in my gift-cluster! Nor, does she really care about getting gifts. For Valentine’s Day I just gave her a poem about how all my gifts end up at Good Will. Everyone was happy!

God is the perfect gift-giver, of course. He knows exactly what you need. The greatest gift – His Son. And returning His gift – either by refusing it, exchanging it, or trying to give something back in return – is not in your power.

“O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Seventh Sunday after Epiphany – BCP)

February 17, 2022

Ever suffered from performance anxiety? You’re not alone. The prodigiously talented Frederic Chopin confessed, “I am not at all fit for giving concerts, for the crowd intimidates me, its breath suffocates me, I feel paralyzed by its curious look, and the unknown faces make me dumb.”

The world universally operates this way: perform to be accepted. The gospel reverses the order: acceptance comes prior to any performance. And moreover, failure is more than welcome!

Before Jesus performed any miracles – or anything else in His public ministry – God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Through His cross and resurrection, what is true for Him is true for you. God loves you and is well pleased by you.

“O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 7 – BCP)

February 16, 2022

In his excellent Christ Church class this past Sunday, Ethan Richardson, our Therapist in Residence, reminded us that behavior does not change behavior. Attempting to slap good behavior over bad behavior not only doesn’t work, it diverts us from the real problem. 

Internal need/pain/trauma surfaces as bad behavior. In order to modify the outside, you have to address the inside. Sin always hinders and confounds every issue, so there are no simple solutions. But going directly to the heart is the only way of hope and healing.

God is interested in what goes on inside you. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

And He has the power to heal.

“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Third Sunday in Lent – BCP)

February 15, 2022

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:8)

The Almost Daily talks about trust in the Lord quite a lot, and for good reason. Humans have a tendency to usurp God’s role. Life actually lived is a hybrid of trust in ourselves, trust in other people or institutions, trust in fate or the universe, and – if we are people of faith – trust in God.

I like the way that this verse from Jeremiah is parsed out. Our trust is not only in the Lord, our trust is the Lord. Trust in the Lord can imply our ceding authority to Him – an action which proves confoundingly difficult. But if our trust is the Lord, then all the better! He just is and needs not our assent. 

Good, right?

“O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany – BCP)

February 14, 2022

“The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) 

On Valentine’s Day, this is from Esau McCaulley, minister and professor. 

“Marriage has taught me that people are what matter. I am proud of some things I have accomplished in my career. Nonetheless, one thing about goals is that they are shockingly difficult to hug. They cannot talk back to you or laugh about all the difficult things you had to do to obtain them. They are needy, hungry monsters capable of gobbling our time and our lives whole. But a person is a wonder. It laughs, cries, changes, grows, frustrates, disappoints and loves us back. One gift of marriage is that we are privileged to witness up close a life different from our own. We get to see the slow unfolding of one of God’s greatest miracles: a human life.”

You don’t have to be married our in a romantic relationship to relate to this. Any human being will do!

“Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (For those we Love – BCP p. 831)

February 11, 2022

“Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17)

“Baby, even the losers get lucky sometimes.” The Tom Petty Classic is shorthand for the gospel, with a little amending. The losers get lucky all the time. 

Jesus inaugurated the great reversal of the Ways Of The World. “Even Infants” – the epitome of helpless, status-less, powerless, and penniless are the exemplars of Kingdom Material. Imagine, just for a wee moment, the freedom of life in a world devoid of all the usual Right-Handed nonsense? You could just skate on through with a smile on your face.

“O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Sixth Sunday After Epiphany – BCP)

February 10, 2022

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” (Luke 18:  13-14)

In the parable, it is the scoundrel, rather than the upright religious man, who is justified (made right, made whole) by God. All well and good, since we know that we are justified by faith rather than by works.

But what happens when this same man does all his scoundrely, conniving, and nefarious misdeeds non stop when he leaves the temple? And then shows up the next week, head down, praying the same prayer? Well, the exact same outcome: he goes home justified. And the next week and the week, month, year, decade after that? Same result.

We may get tired of people being people, but God does not. Good thing for us, too.

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP p. 233)

February 9, 2022

Christie and I went to Durham on Monday to take 2 of our seminarians and their spouses out for a nice dinner. After dinner we walked across the street to watch the end of the UVA-Duke basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. 6 UVA grads entered in and sat at a table in the middle of a small Durham bar. 

The game was close at the end and we were…noisy. When Reece Beekman hit the game winning 3 pointer with 1.1 seconds left, we erupted! Victory in enemy territory! We rushed outside, ushered off by some “choice” words from the Duke fans.

Jesus came into enemy territory and conquered sin and death. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) It’s worth shouting about!!

“We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Saturday in Easter Week – BCP)

February 8, 2022

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Although February is frigid and grey here in Virginia, the birds have become super active. They know that Spring is coming. Such a good metaphor for our life of faith, our life of hope. As Bono sings, “midnight is where the day begins.”

Think for a moment. How do you fix your eyes on what is unseen? Sounds like a Zen riddle, but it is definitely worth pondering today. I do know this; God has His eyes fixed on you with a powerful love and an intention for a kind of good that you can even begin to fathom.

“O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.” (Tuesday in Easter Week – BCP p. 223)

February 7, 2022

“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21: 9-12)

Author Michael Pollan says, “There’s something magical that happens when people eat from the same pot. The family meal is really the nursery of democracy. It’s where we learn to share; it’s where we learn to argue without offending. It’s just too critical to let go, as we’ve been so blithely doing.” Family meals can be with church family, or neighborhood family, or friend family too. 

I’d like to have dinner with you!

“Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you give us food to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Grace at Meals -BCP p. 835)

February 4, 2022

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

I came across a term that resonated – “toxic positivity”.  That’s the voice that rushes in (from others or from yourself) to say that you should always be grateful for what you have rather than sorrowful for what you don’t have. The voice that tells you to count your blessings. The voice that says your difficulties pale in comparison with “real suffering.” 

Gratitude is a wonderful gift from God. But it can be weaponized to avoid facing and working through grief, anger and frustration. I believe that weeping is sometimes the deeper gift, the needful gift.

Everybody hurts, sometimes. (REM)

“Grant to all who suffer a sure confidence in thy fatherly care, that, casting all their grief on thee, they may know the consolations of thy love. Amen.” (BCP p. 481)

February 3, 2022

“When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:11)

The person of Jesus Christ was so radically attractive that crowds thronged around Him and people forsook their lives and their livelihoods – without hesitation or calculation or second thought - to follow Him.

What about today? While His caricature (see SNL’s Church Lady) clearly repels people, He continues to draw people to Himself with His unique word of truth and grace. Among the cacophonous voices of flattery, false promise, and bald face lies that besiege us from within and without, He alone has the words of life.

To drop everything and to follow Him is to lose yourself and, ironically, be found.

“Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fifth Sunday after Epiphany – BCP)

February 2, 2022

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, by which also you are saved…. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

The purpose of preaching is the proclamation that Jesus Christ has died for our sins and that we are once and forever absolved. The disastrous result of the self-esteem movement is the obfuscation – even blessing – of our rebellious and wrong-headed nature. 

To live in a world where we – and the world – call what is bad good is to live in a non-reality that ultimately undermines our sense of worth and happiness.  It is also to miss the true and deepest joy of receiving the grace of God – God’s righteousness given through the merits and death of His Son for our sake.

The Prayer of Humble Access says it best.

“We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table; but you are the same Lord whose character is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.  Amen.”

February 1, 2022

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

Some hopeful profundity from Thomas Merton to begin February. 

“It is only the infinite mercy and love of God that has prevented us from tearing ourselves to pieces and destroying His entire creation long ago. People seem to think that it is in some way a proof that no merciful God exists, if we have so many wars. On the contrary, consider how in spite of centuries of sin and greed and lust and cruelty and hatred and avarice and oppression and injustice…the human race can still recover.”

Everything is going to be okay!

“Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that we may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 3 – BCP p. 229)

January 31, 2022

Francis Spufford said of Jesus, “Wreckage may be written into the logic of the world, but he will not agree that it is all there is. He says, ‘more can be mended than you fear. Far more can be mended than you know.'”

Even when we have completely lost sight of any hope for mending about that in yourself or this in someone else. Not Jesus. He has the mending in clear view. After all, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

“Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Fourth Sunday after Epiphany – BCP)

January 28, 2022

"If you set to work to believe everything, you will tire out the believing-muscles of your mind, and then you'll be so weak you won't be able to believe the simplest true things." That’s from Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll.

We are all mixture of belief and unbelief, faith and doubt. Even the most faithful among us have major belief blind spots – places we aren’t able to believe the simplest true things.

Jesus gives us a sweeping word of grace about belief. “The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17: 5-6)

Do you realize how small a mustard seed is? Just the want to want to want to believe is enough to fill the sea with trees.

“Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Collect at the Prayers – BCP p. 394)

January 27, 2022

You’ve seen the 26.2 bumper stickers advertising the driver’s marathonic accomplishment. I saw another version that I really liked on a minivan yesterday: 0.0. The first is the law and the second is the gospel! 

Reminds me of Paul in Philippians. “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:7-9)

Christ has run the race for us with the cross and resurrection as the finish line. We do 0.0 to receive His 26.2.

“Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Second Sunday after Epiphany – BCP)