Ash Wednesday (2021)
contemplating collects
ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; . . .
Sexagesima Sunday (2021)
contemplating collects
. . .O GOD, Who seest that we put not our trust in anything that we do: Mercifully grant, that by the power of Thy Son, the Teacher of nations, we may be defended against all adversity; through the same, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Septuagesima Sunday (2021)
contemplating collects
Believe it or not, this Sunday begins the short period of Pre-Lent, which makes up the three Sundays immediately preceding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of our Lenten journey to Holy Week and Easter. As we'll see, the focus of these three weeks is God's grace. This focus gets us ready for Lent's change of perspective . . .
Transfiguration Sunday (2021)
contemplating collects
O GOD, who, in the glorious Transfiguration of thy only-begotten Son, hast confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of the Fathers, and who, in the voice that came from the bright cloud, didst in a wonderful manner foreshow the adoption of sons: Mercifully vouchsafe to make us co-heirs with the King of his glory, . . .
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second Sunday after Epiphany (2021)
contemplating collects
ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
-- . . .
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first Sunday after Epiphany (2021)
contemplating collects
O LORD, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, . . .
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reflections on American politics
still looking for God in all the wrong places
Since the horrific events of last Wednesday played out, I have wrestled with how to make sense of them and what to write about them. Instead of writing in the heat of the moment, which would've been anything but thoughtful, I wanted to heed the biblical command to 'be swift to hear [and] slow to speak' (James 1.19). Though I am . . .
