Twenty years ago I was on a late-night radio program in Phoenix with a rabbi and a Christian host who insisted the Bible was simple — just open it and read. The rabbi stiffened. So did I. What followed was one of the most clarifying conversations I’ve had about faith and reason. This Sunday I’m preaching on the Road to Emmaus at St. Martin’s in Providence — a story about two people who walk beside […]
I stand with the Pope in call for peace, says Archbishop of Canterbury “I urge Anglicans across the Church of England and the Anglican Communion to join with His Holiness in raising our voices for peace and justice throughout the world,” Archbishop Mullally said in the statement, released on Thursday afternoon. “I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace. As innocent people […]
Today marks the beginning of a new communications initiative for the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island: “Dear Rhode Island Church” Over the next couple of years we’ll be working a team of talented communicators to share stories and images of the common life of our congregations across the state. I’ve seen some of the previews and I’m very excited about what is coming. This first video helps to frame the whole project. I’ll be sharing […]
Peace that is imposed by force is not the true peace that begins with Easter.
Presidential words can turn the unthinkable into the thinkable − for better or for worse From the Conversation: Presidential rhetoric matters for reasons that go beyond persuasion or style. It helps arrange reality. It tells the public what is serious, who is dangerous, whose suffering counts, and what forms of violence can be described as necessary. President Barack Obama did this in 2012, when he was speaking at a vigil to honor the shooting victims […]
We are in a moment when rhetoric is in danger of spinning out of anyone’s control. Given that there seems to be a lack of will or courage to stop the escalation among those who directly have the ability to do so, this is a moment for deep prayer. “O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away […]
God will not abandon us to the darkness and to despair. Easter is our destiny.
The Passion describes something commonplace and unique in history. It’s something that has changed the course of history. It’s still changing us. It exposes a truth we would kill rather than recognize. And that truth saved us from ourselves and still does.
Preconceived notions and rigid interpretations can blind people to God’s work. Be open to seeing God in unexpected forms, such as mud and mess, and be surprised by God’s creative action
Over the next few weeks, including this weekend, my calendar is such that, between travel and other commitments, I’m not going to be able to keep my weekly sermon posting schedule. I’m sorry about that. And extra sorry that this weekend I don’t have a sermon from three years ago to share instead. But I see that one of my favorite preachers, Andrew Gerns, has already posted his sermon for this weekend. Here’s a taste: […]
