Pachomius and Communal Prayer

Readings for the Feast Day of Pachomius of Tabenissi 2 Timothy 2:1–6 Psalm 16 Matthew 6:24–33 This reflection was shared at Sacred Saunter Outdoor Eucharist on Saturday May 14, 2022 at Freshwater in Eureka. Pachomius is commonly regarded as the founder of coenobitic monasticism, the form of Christian monasticism in which members live together in […]

Beholding and Being Held

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter Sunday (Year C) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Good Shepherd Sunday May 8, 2022. In March of 1983, the Irish Rock band U2 released their third album, which is titled “War”; and the opening track of the album is called “Sunday Bloody Sunday” […]

How Long?

The following reflection on John 10:22-30 was written for and published in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California E News “Explorations in the Gospel of John” on May 3, 2022. May 8 – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Good Shepherd Sunday John 10:22 – 30 The Good Shepherd discourse functions as part of Jesus’s answer […]

Do you love me?

Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter Sunday (Year C) Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 Psalm 30 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Sunday May 1, 2022. After casting their net to the starboard side of the boat for a tremendous catch, the disciples realize that the man on […]

The UNflashy Faithfulness of St. James the Less

A reflection on St. James the Less inspired by the oil painting of Fr. George Leonard Shultz (1896 – 1971). This same reflection was published in the Times-Standard on Saturday April 30, 2022 as “St. James the Less’ Unflashy Faithfulness” Because the name “James” was so popular in the first century AD, scholars often debate about the identity […]

Gird yourself in Humility

The following reflection on John 21:1-19 was written for and published in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California E News “Explorations in the Gospel of John” on April 26, 2022. May 1 – The Third Sunday of Easter John 21:1-19 After casting their net to the starboard side of the boat for a tremendous catch, […]

The Good Shepherd in John 10 (Wordfest)

This reflection was shared at the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California’s WordFest on Saturday April 23, 2022, following reflections on Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34. The Good Shepherd tradition of the Bible continues and even reaches a climax of sorts in the Gospel of John chapter 10. Now the purpose of the Gospel of John is […]

Resurrection and Biophotons

Readings for Easter Sunday (Year C) This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on Easter Sunday April 17, 2022. “Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened” Luke 24:12 In the Name of […]

“This is the Night”

This homily was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA at the Great Easter Vigil Service on April 16, 2022. This is the night. This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave. How holy and blessed is this night. This is the night we’ve been […]

“There is Hope for a Tree”

Readings for Holy Saturday Job 14:1-14 Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16 John 19:38-42 This reflection was shared at Sacred Saunter Outdoor Eucharist on Holy Saturday April 16, 2022 at Sequoia Park in Eureka. “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. […]