In part 1 of this post, we introduced Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 14. We ended with the idea that, just like those invited to the wedding feast, few are willing to say yes to the fullness of the invitation and become true followers of the King. You see, that’s the real…

If you could distill the commitments Christians make at the time of their confirmation down to one brief sentence, it would be this: Christians are those men and women who have committed to living their lives not on their terms, but on the terms of Jesus Christ. And this is shown particularly in Jesus’ Parable…

In Part 1, we discussed the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost and how God moved in power to send his Holy Spirit upon the disciples in Acts 2. We also said the Holy Spirit is a missionary spirit, because from the beginning, he has been about sending us out. Sensing the Holy Spirit Sometimes…

Editor’s Note: As you prepare your heart for Pentecost on June 5, read and reflect on these words from Bishop Brewer, and watch for Part 2, coming soon. Many of you are familiar with the story of what actually happened on the Feast of Pentecost. This great ingathering was akin to a Jewish Thanksgiving, where…

In last week’s post, we looked at Mary Magdalene’s discoveries in John 20 when she visited the tomb to attend to Jesus’ body after his crucifixion. The story ended with her realization of his Resurrection and recognition of him as Lord while she stood outside his tomb, weeping. But then Jesus says something surprising. “No,…

I have to confess to you that if I were the author of the Gospel of John, I would not have crafted the story – the Resurrection story, the most important story in the entire Gospel – in the way John did (John 20:1-18). Sure, he gives preeminence to his role as the beloved disciple.…

Allow me to introduce you to the 12th-century Celtic figure Aelred, who ended up being the abbot of Rievaulx in France and whose feast day we celebrate on Jan. 12. Aelred did something in medieval spirituality that was actually rather revolutionary. If you read the medieval mystics – John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila,…

In Part 1 of “The Promise of Advent”, we discussed the idea that Advent offers us deliverance, and the stories of both Samson and John the Baptist illustrate that in different ways. We also said that what Advent offers goes beyond a personal deliverance. We need this collective deliverance because things happen in the world…

Samson and John the Baptist: Two biblical figures who offer us two very different but consistent mandates as deliverers. One of my favorite collects for Advent says, “Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us.” This is a prayer for deliverance that marks in some ways the very heartbeat and…

“Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love…