Preparing for Ash Wednesday

The Christian experience is the embrace of the wild extremes of the emotional spectrum.

Monday • 2/12/2024 •
Monday of Last Epiphany, Year Two

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 25; Proverbs 27:1–5,10–12; Philippians 2:1–13; John 18:15–18,25–27 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2–6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

We Don’t Need to be “Good Enough”

In his dream, it’s the gateway through which grace condescends to come down.

Friday • 2/9/2024 •

Friday of 5 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 88; Genesis 27:46-28:4,10-22; Romans 13:1-14; John 8:33-47 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Truth That Sets Free

The great I AM has come to free us.

Thursday • 2/8/2024 •

Thursday of 5 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 146; Psalm 147; Genesis 27:30–45; Romans 12:9–21; John 8:21–32 

For more extensive reflections on Romans 12:9–21 from 7/17/2020 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

God Continues to Work His Plan

“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus”

Wednesday • 2/7/2024 •
Wednesday of 5 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:97–120; Genesis 27:1–29; Romans 12:1–8; John 8:12–20  

For comments on Romans 12:1–8 from DDD 7/16/2020 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Our Great Shepherd

Jesus can now serve as our shepherd.

Tuesday • 2/6/2024 •

Tuesday of 5 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 78; Genesis 26:1-6,12-33; Hebrews 13:17-25; John 7:53-8:11 

For comments on John 7:53–8:11 from 12/9/2020  

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)  

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Foreshadowing of Christ

Melchizedek foreshadowed Jesus as Priest when he brought bread and wine to Abraham, and received, in return, a tithe.

Monday • 2/5/2024 •
Monday of 5 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 80; Genesis 25:19–34; Hebrews 13:1–16; John 7:37–52 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2–6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

To All Who Are Thirsty

The Spirit will gush like rivers of living water to all who are thirsty for real life.

Friday • 2/2/2024 •
Friday of 4 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 69; Genesis 24:1–27; Hebrews 12:3–11; John 7:1–13 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

We Can Embrace Fearlessness

The result is that we can embrace a certain fearlessness.

Thursday • 2/1/2024 •
Thursday of 4 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 70; Psalm 71; Genesis 23:1–20; Hebrews 11:32–12:2; John 6:60–71 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Isaac: Pointing Forward in Dramatic Ways to Christ

As Jesus will carry his wooden cross up to Calvary, so Isaac carries the wood for his altar.

Wednesday • 1/31/2024 •
Wednesday of 4 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 72; Genesis 22:1–18; Hebrews 11:23–31; John 6:52–59 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Only One Who Understands

“Tuffy, you are the only one who understands. You are the only one who cares.”  

Tuesday • 1/30/2024 •
Tuesday of 4 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 61; Psalm 62; Genesis 21:1–21; Hebrews 11:13–22; John 6:41–51 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)  

A text version of this podcast can be found here

His Need for the Mercy of Yahweh

But Lot lingered; so the angels led him and his wife and daughters outside the city.

Monday • 1/29/2024 •
Monday of 4 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 56; Psalm 57; Genesis 19:1–17(18–23)24–29; Hebrews 11:1–12; John 6:27–40 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2–6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Holy Amnesia!

Even the Lone Ranger wasn’t a Lone Ranger.

Friday • 1/26/2024 •
Friday of 3 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 40; Psalm 54; Genesis 17:15–27; Hebrews 10:11–25; John 6:1–15 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Covenant is About Presence

The essence of the covenant is like the “I will” of a marriage.

Thursday • 1/25/2024 •
Thursday of 3 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 50; Genesis 16:15–17:14; Hebrews 10:1–10; John 5:30–47 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Mediator of a New Covenant

“The angel of the Lord has conspicuous Christological qualities… He is a type, a ‘shadow’ of Jesus Christ.”

Wednesday • 1/24/2024 •
Wednesday of 3 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:49–72; Genesis 16:1–14; Hebrews 9:15–28; John 5:19–29 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Making Right of All Things

God, in the figure of a flaming torch, pledges by this ceremony to keep his promises to Abram.

Tuesday • 1/23/2024 •
Tuesday of 3 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 45; Genesis 15:1–11,17–21; Hebrews 9:1–14; John 5:1–18 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)  

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A High Priest in the Sanctuary

Our high priest, Jesus Christ, has absorbed our guilt and shame and disposed of them.

Monday • 1/22/2024 •
Monday of 3 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 41; Psalm 52; Genesis 14:1–24; Hebrews 8:1–13; John 4:43–54 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2–6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Living with Wonder and Delighted Optimism

Actress Betty White said her upbeat nature came from being born “a cockeyed optimist.”

Friday • 1/19/2024 •
Friday of 2 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 37; Genesis 11:27–12:8; Hebrews 7:1–17; John 4:16–26 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A New Start for Humanity

God promises to bring good out of evil, beauty out of chaos.

Thursday • 1/18/2024 •
Thursday of 2 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 37; Genesis 11:1–9; Hebrews 6:13–20; John 4:1–15 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

To Be Friend of the Bridegroom

John’s gospel emphasizes God’s plan to redeem the world.

Wednesday • 1/17/2024 •
Wednesday of 2 Epiphany, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 38; Genesis 9:18–29; Hebrews 6:1–12; John 3:22–36 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)  

A text version of this podcast can be found here

God's Beautiful Rainbows

Why do God’s rainbows evoke awe, wonder, and joy? 

Tuesday • 1/16/2024 •
Tuesday of 2 Epiphany, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 26; Psalm 28; Genesis 9:1–17; Hebrews 5:7–14; John 3:16–21 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)  

A text version of this podcast can be found here