4th Sunday of AdventDec. 21, 2025Matthew 1:18-25 What is in a name? Why do we place so much importance on choosing the right name for a new baby? Our names hold our personal identity, our family history, and culture. We talk about living up to one’s name. Our names link us to something greater than … Continue reading What’s In A Name
Second Sunday after ChristmasYear C Matt. 2:1-12 Our story today is woven into the season of Christmas, but in our tradition it also marks the Epiphany, the end of the celebration of the Incarnation and the beginning of the revelation of Christ to the world. Made famous by Shakespeare, it is also called the Twelfth … Continue reading The Bright Morning Star
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Proper 19 Sept. 15, 2024 James 3:1-12 When I worked for Compassion International, part of my job was marketing and development. One thing I learned in marketing that I found to be particularly important in all aspects of life was that it took a minimum of five positive experiences to counteract … Continue reading The Power to Change the World: Your Words
10th Sunday After Pentecost, Year BJul 28, 2024 John 6:1-21 This morning we hear two stories of what are the most well-known miracle stories of Jesus that show up in all four Gospels. In fact, the only ones that are mentioned in all four Gospels. It also marks the first of five in what many … Continue reading Enough
The Gospel of Mark shares a powerful story of political intrigue, cowardice, and prophetic faith. The struggle between King Herod and John the Baptist reveals the contrast between earthly power and divine grace. Despite the rise and fall of empires, the eternal hope and promise of Jesus Christ prevails, offering strength and courage to confront injustice. Continue reading Intrigue, Power, and Grace
BEREA Berea was an old city even in Paul’s day. It was first mentioned by Thucydides in 437 BC. When Paul and Silas visit, it’s a prosperous Roman city with a large Jewish population. I found it to be a quiet, easy-going village by the time the EDOT pilgrims arrive in our year 2024 CE. … Continue reading EDOT Pilgrimage to Greece–Berea & Meteora
Thirteen weary travelers arrived in Thessoloniki from the Diocese of Texas last night. Thirteen hours in planes. We checked in, prayed, found some food, and went to bed. THESSALONIKI Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece. Paul and Silas preached here and it caused a riot. Unforatunaltey, their friend Jason, who they were staying … Continue reading EDOT Pilgrimage to Greece–Thessaloniki, Kavala, & Philippi
Lent 5, Year B 2024John 12:20-33 In our Gospel today, Jesus has already entered Jerusalem, the event we will actually celebrate next Sunday. It is the time for the Passover, so many Judeans, like Jesus and his followers, are filling the city for this holy celebration. And there were non-Jewish people that came to worship, … Continue reading You Want to See Jesus?
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B Photo AMI Travel In our Gospel reading today, Jesus, and presumably the four fishermen that he had just collected, came to Capernaum where Jesus set up the home base for his ministry. And when the sabbath arrived, Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. Now the way … Continue reading Fatal Attraction
Proper 20, Year A, Matt. 20: 1-16 Whenever Jesus starts a parable by saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”, hold on to your hats. He is going to turn our world upside down because the Kingdom of Heaven is not like this world. We need to remember that Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of … Continue reading The Economy of God
Magdalena's Musings 