Madaonna and Child by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato The Word became flesh and dwelled among us… Today’s homily is the first in a three-part reflection, with what we will share this morning, as well as tonight at Lessons and Carols, and at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. As we...
Not one stone will be left here upon another. All will be thrown down. Years ago, not long after I was ordained a priest, my uncle came to Atlanta with his church on a trip. Lisa and I loaded Evelyn up in our car and drove down near Peoplestown to...
The Crypt Church in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC is a space that speaks deeply to me, that pulls me in and makes my heart vibrate. A deeper part of my soul resonates at the same pitch as the walls, and the whole...
You should know, this is my stewardship sermon this year. I am trying something slightly different, but let me tell you a story first. When I was a child, I was totally convinced that my younger sister was a thief. (Apologies, Kimber). I knew that she would steal any of...
A few weeks ago, something surprised me during the Eucharistic Prayer. At the 10:45 service, we reached the portion where we share in the Lord’s Prayer, and we all started in at our normal pace. Over time, every parish finds its pace, which is a dance between the priest and...
Between Stuart and me I like to hold myself out as the more sophisticated. Anyone who knows us both well knows that the truth is far from this. Stuart possesses the enviable capacity to embrace his family and their stories. I’m still trying to figure out mine and theirs. Some...
Last weekend, I was in Albuquerque for the 6th Conspire Conference, with the Center for Action and Contemplation. Over a thousand folks gathered from all over the world to learn from Barbara Holmes, Richard Rohr, Brian McLaren, Mirabai Starr, and our own Barbara Brown Taylor. It was an extraordinary time and...
“But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.” Today’s readings are rich with a particular...
When I was a little kid in Arkansas, back at Egypt Missionary Baptist Church, our little church had a tradition—one that I wonder would be meaningful here. The first Sunday...
The angel of the Lord came a second time to Elijah, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” I want to return this morning to an image or theme that I raised a few weeks ago, the invitation we have...