It seems fitting to begin this meditation with a free translation from the Scots poet, Robert Burns: “Oh, that some power the gift could give us, to see ourselves as others see us.It would from many a blunder free us and foolish notion.” Certainly, if we could see ourselves through our neighbors’ eyes, most of…

A woman who was a devoted member of a small church that was part of a regional cluster of churches came toward the bishop with fire in her eye. “So, when are you going to send us a priest?” she demanded. The bishop replied, “You’re asking the wrong question. The question is, ‘How is St….

This is one of those Sundays when the three lectionary readings are perfectly connected with the same theme. Let’s call it, “the plunge into faith.” In the Old Testament lesson, Abraham is called out of his home. If his age, 75, is correct according to our standards, then he was too old a man to…

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”“I am the resurrection and the life.”And soon, there is a stone rolled away, an empty tomb, and grave clothes lying abandoned. Lazarus’ miracle is NOT resurrection, because he will die, physically, again. That’s true. But it is not ALL the truth. The other…

This Gospel story says something important about what happens between Baptism and ministry to Jesus and all the rest of us who follow him. For ministry to be real and effective, a wilderness is required. Whether we are called to a geographic place is open to debate. But we are certainly called to squarely face…