St. James Day IV

Going Home Again

And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

 — Matthew 13:58

Even Moses

Dust, Death, and the Promise Beyond

You turn us back to the dust and say, "Go back, O child of earth.” 

— Psalm 90:3

…they are like chaff which the wind blows away. 

— Psalm 1:4

The Power of Touch

When Love Becomes Tangible

Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him.

— Deuteronomy 34:9

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin.

— Leviticus 19:17

St. James Day III

Comfortable Words

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures.

— 1 Corinthians 15:3

St. James Day II

Fruit in Its Season

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. 

— Psalm 1:3

St. James Day I

We Should Not Trouble Them

Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God. 

— Acts 15:19

St. Luke's Day IV

Good News to the Poor

He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.

— Luke 4:18

St. Luke's Day III

 Bring My Cloak and My Books

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 

— 2 Timothy 4:13

St. Luke's Day II

The Hands That Bind Our Wounds

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

— Psalm 147:3

St. Luke's Day I

For They Too Pray

There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians, for they too pray to the Lord.

— Sirach 38:13–14

I'll Show Them!

When Winning Becomes the Wrong Goal

“The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said.” 

— Matthew 22:15

The Labor of Love

What Does Your Faith Make Possible?

…your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

— 1 Thessalonians 1:3

A God I Didn't Make

Justice, Righteousness, and the Creator of Heaven

O mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

— Psalm 99

As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; but it is the Lord who made the heavens.

— Psalm 96

The View from Behind

Recognizing God in Hindsight

You cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.

— Exodus 33

I arm you, though you do not know me.

— Isaiah 45

The People Who Show Up

When the Invitation Goes Beyond the Family

They went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

— Matthew 22

I Choose Gentleness

And Sometimes That Means Walking Away

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

— Philippians 4

Candor, Then Walking

The Shepherd Is Still There

We have sinned as our forebears did; we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.

— Psalm 106

He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

— Psalm 23

What Are We Building?

The Golden Calves We Make at Home

Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”

— Exodus 32

When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,

the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place…

— Isaiah 25

I can almost sympathize with Aaron. Moses has been gone a long time. The people are restless and demanding something they can see and follow. Aaron gets creative. Give them what they want, perhaps, while somehow keeping it connected to the God they already know. He collects their gold, makes the calf, builds an altar before it—and then announces, remarkably, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the LORD.” Maybe Aaron is frightened. Maybe he is trying to meet the people halfway. Maybe he thinks he can have the best of both worlds. Whatever his intentions, though, his religious language cannot change what his actions have produced. There is a golden calf standing in the camp.

Isaiah gives us another startling image. He describes the “ruthless” and compares the “noise of aliens” to oppressive heat. The word aliens catches my attention because immigration and the treatment of foreigners have become such difficult subjects in our own time. Scripture repeatedly commands God's people to care for the stranger and foreigner among them. Yet that doesn't mean every biblical appearance of a foreigner carries precisely the same meaning. Here Isaiah is describing hostile outsiders, and the significant word may be ruthless. God is the refuge of the poor and needy against those who would overwhelm them.

That distinction matters. Welcoming people does not require welcoming everything people believe or do. We can open our homes, communities and hearts to people while still discerning ideas and practices by whether they produce justice, righteousness, mercy and holiness. But Exodus immediately prevents me from turning that observation into an accusation against somebody coming from somewhere else. Israel didn't need foreigners to bring the golden calf into camp. They made it themselves. And Aaron, one of their own religious leaders, helped.

That turns the question around rather dramatically. It is easy to become vigilant about what somebody else might bring through the front door while overlooking what I am building in the living room. Every society has things worth preserving and things requiring repentance. Every outsider can bring ideas that bless or harm, and so can every insider. Sometimes the dangerous compromise even arrives wrapped in familiar religious language. Aaron could call his celebration a “festival to the LORD,” but God's name did not transform the calf into something holy.

We've been asking a similar question throughout these recent readings: What does it produce? The vineyard is expected to produce fruit. God expects justice and righteousness. Now Aaron reminds me that my intentions, labels and explanations aren't enough. What am I actually making from the things entrusted to me? What compromises have I baptized with the right words because they allow me to have the best of both worlds?

Perhaps discernment begins closer to home than I sometimes want it to. Yes, I should care about what enters through the door. But before I become too frightened about what someone else might bring inside, I should take a good look around the room. What are we building in here?

What Is Growing Because I Was Here?

The Fruit of the Vineyard

…the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.

— Matthew 21

What Counts as Gain?

The Things That Measure a Life

For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish…

— Philippians 3

Tend This Vine

What Fear Would Prune Away

The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul.

— Psalm 19

…behold and tend this vine; preserve what your right hand has planted.

— Psalm 80

So That You Do Not Sin

What Does God Actually Want?

…so that you do not sin.

— Exodus 20

…he expected justice, but saw bloodshed;

righteousness, but heard a cry!

— Isaiah 5 

Heaven Opened

Michaelmas IV

Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

— John 1

When the Battle Is Already Lost

Michaelmas III — Revised

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah.

— Revelation 12

A New Man

Michaelmas II

…and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

— Psalm 103

And I Did Not Know It

Michaelmas I

This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

— Genesis 28

Closer Than I Think

Who Is Really Far from Jesus?

Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.

— Matthew 21

Painfully Radical

Being in Full Accord and of One Mind

…be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

— Philippians 2

Still Teachable

The Person Who Teaches Must Still Be Taught

I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.

— Psalm 78

He guides the humble in doing right and teaches his way to the lowly.

— Psalm 25

I Forgot to Pray

Is the Lord Among Us or Not?

Is the Lord among us or not?

— Exodus 17

O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

— Ezekiel 18

Go and Learn

St. Matthew’s Day III

Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."

— Matthew 9

Equipped for Good

What Good Can I Do Right Now?

…equipped for every good work.

— 2 Timothy 3

Turn My Eyes

What Is Worth My Attention?

So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and of people.

— Proverbs 3

Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless.

— Psalm 119

There Is Still Time

Why Are You Still Standing Here?

He said to them, "Why are you standing here idle all day?"

— Matthew 20

That's Evidence

What Opposition Cannot Take Away

...in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation.

— Philippians 1

Seek. Ponder. Seek Again.

Finding God Is Not the End of Seeking

Search for the Lord and his strength; continually seek his face.

— Psalm 105

I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty and all your marvelous works.

— Psalm 145

Enough Light to See

The Crowd, the Prophet, and the Way Forward

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.

— Exodus 16

And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?

— Jonah 4

When I Am Lifted Up

Holy Cross Day, Part Three

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

— John 12

A New Creation

Holy Cross Day, Part Two

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!

— Galatians 6

He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.

— Philippians 2

Ashamed

Holy Cross Day, Part One

All who were incensed against him shall come to him and be ashamed.

— Isaiah 45

...when he comes to judge the earth.

— Psalm 98

The Ledger

Seventy-Seven Chances to Let It Go

Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

— Matthew 18

Welcome. Don’t Quarrel.

I Couldn't Get Past the First Verse

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.

— Romans 14

When Israel Came Out

First You Go. Then You Sing.

When Israel came out of Egypt...

— Psalm 114

I will sing to the Lord...

— Exodus 15

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

— Psalm 103

I've Got Your Back

When God Moves Out of Sight

But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?"

— Genesis 50

...and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them.

— Exodus 14

Build Upon It

Labor Day, Part Two

Like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it.

— 1 Corinthians 3

If your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.

— Matthew 6

Nine Ladies Dancing

The Ninth Month of Christmas

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

— Galatians 5:22–23

You have turned my wailing into dancing.

— Psalm 30

The Work of Our Hands

Labor Day, Part One

Without them no city can be inhabited, and wherever they live, they will not go hungry.

— Sirach 38

He put their feet on a straight path to go to a city where they might dwell.

— Psalm 107

Prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.

— Psalm 90

Listen

The Goal of a Difficult Conversation

...and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church...

— Matthew 18

The Edges of Love

When Love Requires a No

Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.

— Romans 13

Joyful on Their Beds

What We Carry Into the Night

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; let them be joyful on their beds.

Turn away the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.

— Psalms 149 and 119

The Closest Neighbor

God's Economy Begins Nearby

If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one.

Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

— Exodus 12; Ezekiel 33

Human Things

When the Reasonable Answer Is Still Wrong

You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.

— Matthew 16

Genuine Love

The Word Isn't Enough

Let love be genuine.

— Romans 12

Sojourner

Learning Home Along the Way

...and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.

Lord, I love the house in which you dwell.

— Psalms 105 and 26

I Know

When Faith Becomes the Object of Ridicule

Indeed, I know their sufferings.

Know that on your account I suffer insult.

— Exodus 3; Jeremiah 15

Not Worth It

A Reflection for St. Bartholomew's Day

The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

— Luke 22

Members of One Another

Unity Is More Than Getting Along

...individually we are members one of another.

— Romans 12

Shalom, Your Majesty

When the Kings Begin to Sing

All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord.

— Psalm 138

If . . . Then.

What Happens If the Lord Is Not on Our Side?

If . . . then.

— Psalm 124

Listen. Look. Lift.

Where the Pursuit of Righteousness Begins

Listen . . . Look . . . Lift.

— Isaiah 51

The More They Multiplied

What Fear Makes Us Do to Other People

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread . . .

— Exodus 1

The Eighth Month of Christmas

Make Peace

TEN YEARS GONE: The Seventh Month of Christmas (Revised)

Keeping Christmas While We Wait

First published Wednesday, July 6, 2016 — Revised Monday, August 17, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Utmost Patience (Revised)

An Urgent Message Does Not Require an Impatient Messenger

First Published Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - Revised Sunday, August 16, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Search. Seek. (Revised)

Stop Looking for Opponents

First Published Tuesday, June 28, 2016 - Revised Saturday, August 15, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Extreme Measures (Revised)

When God Wants Us to Get the Point

First Published Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - Revised Friday, August 14, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: The Angry Wicked (Revised)

When Righteousness Itself Becomes Offensive

First Published Saturday, June 11, 2016 - Revised Thursday, August 13, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: The Son of God (Revised)

And Go From There

First Published Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - Revised Wednesday, August 12, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Hope for the Entire Year (Revised)

The Christmas Story Is Already Happening

First Published Monday April 4, 2026 - Revised Tuesday, August 11, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Uneducated (Revised)

What Can We Learn From This Person?

First Published Saturday, April 2, 2016 - Revised Monday, August 10, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Child: Get Up! (Revised)

 Why Raise Someone Who Will Die Again?

First Published Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - Revised Sunday, August 9, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Can't Stay Away (Revised)

Sirs, We Would See Jesus

First Published Tuesday, March 22, 2016 - Revised Saturday, August 8, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: When the Left Is Right, We Say So (Revised)

Let Scripture Correct All of Us

First Published Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Revised Friday, August 7, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: The Three Young Men (Revised)

 

Faithfulness When the Crowd Grows Small

First published Wednesday, March 2, 2016 - Revised Thursday, August 6, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Understanding Envy (Revised)

 Producing the Fruits of the Kingdom

First Friday, February 26, 2016 - Revised Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.

— Matthew 21:43

TEN YEARS GONE: More Than Brothers and Sisters

Learning to Greet Those We Do Not Yet Know

First Published Saturday, February 20, 2016 - Revised Tuesday, August 4, 2026

And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?

— Matthew 5

TEN YEARS GONE: Do Not Hate Your Own Kin (Revised)

Expanding the Circle of Family

First published Monday, February 15, 2016. Revised Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: The Long Road to Purity (Revised)

Holiness Is Patient Work

First published Friday, February 12, 2026. Revised Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Gotta Problem (Revised)

 When Secret Charity Leaves You With Nothing to Say

First published Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Revised Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Do Not Hide From Your Own Kin (Revised)

 

A Different Kind of Fasting

First published Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Revised Thursday, July 2, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Where Is Their God? (Revised)

Beginning With Ourselves

First published Monday, February 8, 2016. Revised Friday, June 26, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Equity, Justice, and Righteousness (Revised)

When Your Opponent Is Protecting Something Valuable

First published Thursday, February 4, 2016. Revised Saturday, June 20, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: The Face of Someone Who Has Been With God (Revised)

On Moses and the Light We Carry

First published Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Revised Sunday, June 14, 2026. 

TEN YEARS GONE: Just Like Us (Revised)

Why Christ's Humanity Matters

First Published February 2, 2016. Revised June 11, 2026. 

TEN YEARS GONE: The Refiner's Fire

On the Thoughts We Never Speak

 First published on Monday, February 1, 2026. Revised Sunday, June 7, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: The Pro-Life Readings

Wonder Before Politics

First Published Friday January 29, 2016. Revised Saturday May 30, 2026

Ten Years Gone — Do Not Mourn (Revised)

 Staying in the Joy of Easter

First Published January 22, 2016. Revised on May 10, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Lead, Don't Lord

Peter, Servanthood, and the Difference Between Leaders and Bosses

TEN YEARS GONE: Holy Spirit = Unity (Revised)

The Gradual Erosion of Contempt

First Published Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Revised May 8, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Even Beasts (Revised)

The Reach of God’s Care in a Living World

First Published January 12, 2016. Revised April 24, 2026. 

TEN YEARS GONE - Marriage (Revised)

 

Covenant, Delight, and the End of Abandonment

First published Monday, January 11, 2016. Revised April 17, 2016.

TEN YEARS GONE: Receiving the Holy Spirit

 

The Prayer We Rarely Think to Pray

First Published Saturday, January 9, 2016. Revised Sunday, April 12, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Water (Revised)

 Where Life, Power, and Mystery Meet

First published Friday, January 8, 2016. Revised Monday, March 23, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Fear Not (Revised)

Called by Name in a Season of Testing

First published Thursday, January 7, 2016. Revised March 21, 2026.

Ten Years Gone: The Mystery . . . Good! (Revised)

 

From Epiphany’s Light to Lent’s Quiet Wonder

First Published Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Revised March 10, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Dear in His Sight (Revised)

 

From Epiphany’s Light to Lent’s Sobriety

First published Tuesday, January 5, 2016. Revised Tuesday, March 3, 2026. 

TEN YEARS GONE: Hope for Children — All of Them (Revised for Lent)

When Innocence Threatens Power

First published Monday, December 28, 2015. Revised Sunday, March 1, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: God Changes His Mind (Revised for Lent)

When Judgment Yields to Mercy

First published December 26, 2015. Revised for Lent, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: A Light That Cannot Be Cancelled (Revised for Lent)

 

From Christmas Eve to Lent — Why We Still Need the Light

First Published Thursday, December 24, 2015. Revised February 27, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: Cry Aloud, Inhabitants of Zion (revised)

 

When The Presence of God Becomes Song

First published Saturday, December 12, 2015. Revised February 25, 2026

TEN YEARS GONE: The Woman and the City (Revised)

 

When Culture Seduces Power — and the Church Must Decide

First published Saturday, December 5, 2015. Revised February 23, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: Great Babylon Has Fallen (Revised)

 

When Systems Collapse and Illusions Burn

Originally Published Sunday, November 29, 2015. Revised February 22, 2026.

TEN YEARS GONE: New Testament — What Is the “Violence”?

When Judgment Comes Not by Force, but by Truth Fully Spoken

First published November 29, 2015 (Revised for 2026)

TEN YEARS GONE: He Can't Lead the Nations Astray Anymore

 

Why the Gospel Never Needed the Power of the State
First Published Saturday, November 28, 2015

TEN YEARS GONE - Holy, Set Apart

     What I Believed About Holiness Before I Understood Grief

(Originally published November 27, 2015 | lightly edited)

Ten years ago, I was still close enough to loss to speak with urgency.

Fresh grief sharpens moral language. It doesn’t always soften it — but it does make it honest.

---

“But as for cowards, the faithless, the corrupt, murderers, the sexually immoral, idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
— Revelation 21:8

The closing chapters of Scripture do not argue. They summarize. They do not negotiate. They describe what belongs in eternity — and what cannot survive it.

What has always struck me is that the dividing line is not intelligence, doctrine, or even religious fluency. It is holiness — not as moral exhibitionism, but as a life set apart from self-destruction.

Cowardice is not holy.
Unfaithfulness fractures trust.
Dirty-mindedness corrodes the inner life.
Lies eventually isolate the liar.

These are not arbitrary rules. They are descriptions of what leads to tears.

Revelation places the wiping away of tears right alongside the call to holiness — and that pairing is no accident. So much of our suffering is delayed consequence. We grasp for comfort now and grieve later. We break bonds and are surprised by the pain. We tell ourselves a lie and wonder why the world feels unreal.

Holiness, joy, and peace are not opposites. They are aligned.

Ten years ago, I wrote with conviction because I believed — and still believe — that God’s warnings are acts of mercy. They are not meant to shame us, but to spare us from becoming people who can no longer receive joy.

Time has not made that conviction smaller.
It has made it more compassionate.