If there is a single central theme or image to Epiphany, it is light. Epiphany begins with the light of the star leading the Wise Men; and it ends with the shining radiance of Jesus’ garments at the Transfiguration. In between, this image of light haunts many of the readings and collects throughout the season….

Fishing is a noble occupation. For some it is a sometimes-dangerous livelihood. Others find it an exciting sport or a tranquil form of relaxation. While conversations about the size, weight or species of fish may go on for hours, including descriptions of “the one that got away” the last thing most anglers want to get…

We human beings are communicators. We communicate with each other and, at our best, we explore paths of communication with God. For most of us, words are the tools, the means by which we communicate. This is not to say that visual artists and musicians of all kinds don’t speak to us all and to…

Contrary to what our contemporary culture may tell us, the Christmas season does not begin sometime after Halloween and conclude with returning unwanted presents on December 26. Rather, the Christmas season has its own cycle, beginning with Advent, moving through Christmas, and continuing with Epiphany. This is similar to the pattern with Easter: the Lenten…

They’re rioting in Africa. They’re starving in Spain.There’s hurricanes in Florida and Texas needs rain. The whole world is festering with unhappy souls.The French hate the Germans; the Germans hate the Poles.Italians hate Yugoslavs; South Africans hate the Dutch,And I don’t like anybody very much. But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud,For man’s…

There are many challenges to churches today: Some are small and struggling, hoping to grow and not finding their numbers increasing. Others have problems finding qualified clergy or raising enough money in pledges to balance the budget. Others have significant repairs to do on their buildings and lack the funds for the project. And some…

Today we find John Baptist at the River Jordan, where he preached repentance, baptized Jesus, and admitted how much greater Jesus was than he. John’s is a story of such great significance that we hear parts of it every year — twice, sometimes three times. John Baptist was quite a character — wild and woolly,…