“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Lk. 4:18). Years ago I had a clergy colleague who told me that there was no need for him to renew his vows because he had never broken them. (Certainly […]
Learn more“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). Jesus’ words from the cross bring us to the summit of Palm Sunday. We began our liturgy with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and we will end […]
Learn moreThe Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee stands in solidarity with those most directly affected by the deadly shooting that took place at Covenant School earlier today. The deaths of students and staff, including children, are a source of particular […]
Learn more“I am the resurrection and the life” (Jo. 11:25). Some of you may know that many of Tennessee’s bishops are buried at St. John’s Church, Ashwood, in Maury County. The church has not been an active parish for […]
Learn more“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Lk. 1:38). Today we gather as church folk: people who are called to leadership in different ways in Christ’s Body the […]
Learn more“I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do not see may become blind” (Jo. 9:39). This year I graduated from what my mother would have called […]
Learn more“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” (Jo. 3:8). In our Gospel today, we see Jesus engaged in a […]
Learn more“But the free gift is not like the trespass” (Rom. 5:15). The beginning of Lent this year gives us a chance to say something about grace, the power and presence of God in our lives. This may seem […]
Learn more“You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19). Depending on the time of […]
Learn more“You are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9). The Church of St. Mary Magdalene is a little gem: blown down by a tornado some years ago, it was rebuilt with loving care by devoted parishioners determined to […]
Learn more“The Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor. 2:10). When ice forms on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, people walk out on to the frozen surface, to cut holes in the ice to fish for […]
Learn more“Consider your own call, brothers and sisters” (1 Cor. 1:26). We begin by saying, with the Apostle Paul, that each of us is called by God. St. Paul invites us, in our reading from the First Letter to […]
Learn more“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people” (Matt. 4:23). Last spring, Caroline and I went on pilgrimage to the […]
Learn more“So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). We open our Convention this year with the commemoration of St. Fabian, bishop of Rome in the early days of the church; whose predecessor had died suddenly […]
Learn more“Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jo. 1:29). I’ve always felt connected to John the Baptist. Years ago a church I served was doing its spring cleaning and discovered an […]
Learn more“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness” (Is. 42:6). When God calls us to his service, we never know exactly what’s involved in the call. It’s almost always the case that we end up feeling like […]
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