What Makes Good Friday Good

Today is Good Friday. It’s a day for us to remember Jesus Christ’s death, but also, as Peter’s denial reminds us, of the sins that made his death necessary.

Friday • 3/29/2024 •

Good Friday

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 22; Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33; 1 Peter 1:10-20; Mark 10:32-45

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 14 (“A Song of Penitence,” 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

The Long Story of Redemption

"The long story of redemption is one of God's implacable enmity towards the sin that destroys us."

Wednesday • 3/27/2024 •

Wednesday of Holy Week

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 55; Lamentations 2:1-9; 2 Corinthians 1:23–2:11; Mark 12:1-11

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 14 (“A Song of Penitence,” BCP, p. 90); 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

Hope-Tinged Grace & Beauty

I pray that you and I, like Jeremiah of Lamentations, can bring a hope-tinged grace and beauty to the ugliness of the day.

Tuesday • 3/26/2024 •

Year 2, Holy Week

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 6; Psalm 12; Lamentations 1:17-22; 2 Corinthians 1:8-22; Mark 11:27-33

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

How Long, O Lord?

Picasso’s Guernica wrenches the cry, “How long, O Lord?”

Year 2, Holy Week

Monday • 3/25/2024

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 51; Lamentations 1:1-12; 2 Corinthians 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25

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

Hard Times

Just as the threat accelerates, so does God’s counsel to provide and to seek shelter.

Friday • 3/22/2024 •
Friday of 5 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 22; Exodus 9:13-35; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 (plus tomorrow’s 4:13–18); Mark 10:32-45 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 14 (Song of Moses, Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 94) 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

My Soul Can Rest, Safe and Tranquil

It’s assuring to know that God so takes care of me that my soul can rest “tranquil and quiet like a child in its mother’s arms”

Thursday • 3/21/2024 •
Thursday of 5 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 131, 132, 133; Exodus 7:25–8:19; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31 

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 Heart is Everything

With a wide-nib fountain pen or a wide rollerball pen and luxurious card stock, I delight to see words take shape.

Wednesday • 3/20/2024 •
Wednesday of 5 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:145-176; Exodus 7:8-24; 2 Corinthians 2:14–3:6; Mark 10:1–16 

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

Some Words on Worship

We are to discern these words’ applicability to our worship although our liturgy is not exactly spontaneous.

Tuesday • 3/19/2024 •
Tuesday of 5 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 121, 122, 123; Exodus 5:1–6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:20-40 (note that the lectionary excludes verses 34-38); Mark 9:42-50 

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

God Supplies What is Needed

Who hasn’t been grateful when the Lord has provided just the right person to come alongside us to help?

Monday • 3/18/2024 •
Monday of 5 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 31; Exodus 4:10-31; 1 Corinthians 14:1-19; Mark 9:30-41 

For a DDD “Riffing on Paul’s approach to tongue-speaking” in 1 Corinthians 14:12 from 10/12/2021  

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

How to Face Desperate Times

In that exile Moses comes face to face with Yahweh.

Friday • 3/15/2024 •
Friday of 4 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 102; Exodus 2:1–22; 1 Corinthians 12:27–13:3; Mark 9:2–13 

And Saturday’s Exodus 2:23–3:15 

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

Words to Lift Up to Yahweh

God's hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another.

Thursday • 3/14/2024 •
Thursday of 4 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 69; Exodus 1:6–22; 1 Corinthians 12:12–26; Mark 8:27–9:1 

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

A Necessarily Long Walk

Jesus will send out his followers with the focused message that salvation comes from “none of the above.”

Wednesday • 3/13/2024 •
Wednesday of 4 Lent, Year Two

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 101; Psalm 109; Genesis 50:15–26; 1 Corinthians 12:1–11; Mark 8:11–26 

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 Gathers His People

He foreshadows the fourfold Eucharistic action of taking bread, blessing it, breaking it, and distributing it.

Tuesday • 3/12/2024 •

Tuesday of 4 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 97; Psalm 99; Genesis 49:29–50:14; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34; Mark 8:1–10 

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 Vision of Creation Restored

The mighty “lion of Judah” becomes a theme of Jewish art and the basis of messianic expectation.

Monday • 3/11/2024 •
Monday of 4 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 89; Genesis 49:1–28; 1 Corinthians 10:14–11:1; Mark 7:24–37 

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

A Rich Heritage of Spiritual Pilgrimage

“Not all those who wander are lost”

Friday • 3/8/2024 •
Friday of 3 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 88; Genesis 47:1–26; 1 Corinthians 9:16–27; Mark 6:47–56 

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

An Island of Peace

It’s good to be reminded of the tranquility of spirit with which our Savior met, and continues to meet, every contingency.

Thursday • 3/7/2024 •
Thursday of 3 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 83; Genesis 46:1–7,28–34; 1 Corinthians 9:1–15; Mark 6:30–46 

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

Redemption, Not Recrimination

In this season of Lent it’s good to be reminded how important it is not to carry grudges.

Wednesday • 3/6/2024 •
Wednesday of 3 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:97–120; Genesis 45:16–28; 1 Corinthians 8:1–13; Mark 6:13–29 

For thoughts on 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 from 9/29/2021, see  “Love vs. Knowledge” 

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 Guiding Hand

Joseph understood all of it to be firmly in the grip of a higher hand that was working a larger purpose toward a good end.

Tuesday • 3/5/2024 •
Tuesday of 3 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 78; Genesis 45:1–15; 1 Corinthians 7:32–40; Mark 6:1–13 

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

Great Divorce

“You cannot love a fellow-creature fully till you love God.”  

Monday • 3/4/2024 •
Monday of 3 Lent, Year Two  

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 80; Genesis 44:18–34; 1 Corinthians 7:25–31; Mark 5:21–43 

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