The cross at the center of the Cloister from Trie-en-Bigorre, at The Cloisters in New York City. The following is a reflection on Philippians 2:1-13, the Epistle lesson appointed for September 25th, 2011 according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. (Proper 20, Year A) On this site there is also • a reflection on the Gospel lesson for the same day [coming soon], and • a version of the Prayers of the People, based on […]
The following is a reflection on Philippians 1:21-30, the Epistle lesson appointed for September 18th, 2011 according to the New Revised Common Lectionary. (Proper 19, Year A) On this site there is also • a reflection on the Gospel Lesson for the same day, and • a version of the Prayers of the People, based on the lessons of the day. “And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not […]
This isn't a text to absolutize. You can't (or at least shouldn't) attempt to build a theology of the trinity around this...This is Paul invoking the fullness of God in prayer over a community (koinonia) in Corinth that had it's issues.
So, I took one for the team this week. You’re welcome. I was so excited about Paul’s high prayer in Colossians coming up in the lectionary this week… that I got an idea. It’s such a deep, rich, velvety prayer… that it reminds me in some ways of a truly great piece of chocolate. And, while having this idea, I just so happened to be by a Godiva Chocolatier. (You see where I’m going with […]
It’s only November 7th, and we’re already descending into the mysteries of the Season of Advent and the expectation of the Lord’s coming. For almost a decade now I’ve been on a crusade (er… so to speak) to recapture the true meaning of Advent. Every Advent -I remind people that it’s not just the season of gift buying and wrapping to get ready for Christmas. The Season of Advent is a serious season about the […]
It would probably be safe to say that the typical Christian in today’s world doesn’t read an entire book of the Bible in a day. And even safer to say this usually doesn’t happen before lunch But, on this Sunday, that exactly what our congregations will be treated to – or just about anyway. Our epistle lesson is from the Paul’s Letter to Philemon – or should I say that It’s the entire epistle, save […]
And, maybe it's not the central meaning of this passage from the Book of Acts, but what this perspective at least demonstrates is that ministry, and blessing, and prayer all happen in the midst of the messiness of human emotion. There's that awful preconceived notion that the Christian life is supposed to be one of calm serenity, if not outright blandness. There's an unspoken (though maybe in some circles it IS spoken) platitude that if we're close to the heart of God we just smile all the time and put up with anything and anyone without bother. Bologna.