“Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” (Luke 7:44) A Pharisee named Simon had invited Jesus to dinner. Not long after Jesus had sat down, “a woman in the city, who was a sinner” (7:37) began to bathe His feet with her tears. Although Simon was interested …
One God and Father of All
“… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” (Eph. 4:5-6) One night I received a text from my assistant at work. She asked if I would come to the hospital. Her boyfriend’s grandfather was dying. I wasn’t sure why this family didn’t call their own pastor. Maybe he was still …
Feeling Worthy
When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, ‘He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who builds our synagogue for us.’ And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends …
All the Fragments of Our Life
When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ (Jn. 6:12) Jesus tells the disciples to gather up the fragments. This seemingly insignificant line can give us great comfort and peace. We can sometimes feel like our lives are mostly fragments. Forgotten dreams. Broken …
Christmas Letter 2023
Dear Friends: The gospel of Luke records the birth of Jesus in this way: “And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (2:7) This is a holiday season like no other. Given …
Update on “Notes on Hope”
Dear Followers, Our heartfelt thanks to you all for your continued subscription to our site. I hope that you are well and safe. Fr. Jim has been in the midst of turning his "notes" into a book while on sabbatical these past six months as he also settles into the position of Rector at St. …
In The Manger With Jesus
And she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them at the inn. (Lk. 2:7) I’d received a phone call from a distraught mother. Her 30-something daughter had disappeared. The mother feared that her daughter—let me call her Abby—could have committed suicide. A few …
Emmanuel, God With Us
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. (Lk. 2:6) Right before Christmas one year, a really sad article came out in the press. According to several reports, a priest condemned suicide at the funeral of a young man who had taken his own life. I felt tremendous grief for …
Worshipping God In Spirit and In Truth
Jesus said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship him.” (Jn. 4:23) When the woman at the well felt like Jesus was becoming too personal, she tried to divert the conversation by embroiling …
Jesus’ Love and Grace
“He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.” (Jn. 6:71) There are few feelings more painful than being betrayed. It feels like your heart has been ripped out of your chest and then stomped on. The closer the relationship, the deeper the …