When the Spirit Will Re-Mold Resistant Hearts

Samson is permitted to prefigure-if in a diminished way-One who will give his life for the rescue of his people.

Friday • 8/16/2024 •

Friday of Proper 14

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 102; Judges 14:20–15:20; Acts 7:17-29; John 4:43-54

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

God Uses Flawed Messengers

Samson is strong and clever—a lion-slayer and a riddle-maker.

Thursday • 8/15/2024 •

Thursday of Proper 14

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 105:1-22; Judges 14:1-19; Acts 6:15–7:16; John 4:27-42

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 Divine Appointment

It turns out that a “divine appointment” awaits the celebrated “Woman at the Well”.

Wednesday • 8/14/2024 •

Wednesday of Proper 14

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 101; Psalm 109; Judges 13:15-24; Acts 6:1-15; John 4:1-26

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

"...But If It Is from God..."

Rabbi Gamaliel, this powerful member of the Sanhedrin, argues for tolerance for the Jerusalem followers of Jesus.

Tuesday • 8/13/2024 •

Tuesday of Proper 14

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 97; Psalm 99; Judges 13:1-15; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36

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 People's Shepherd

In John’s gospel, Jesus will reveal himself as that great I AM—as his people’s shepherd.

Monday • 8/12/2024 •

Monday of Proper 14

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 89; Judges 12:1-7; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21

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

"There Are Only Two Religions in the World"

The Lord of History shows himself as the ultimate host who has saved the best wine (his Son) for last.

Friday • 8/9/2024 •

Friday of Proper 13

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 88; Judges 9:1-21; Acts 4:13-31; John 2:1-12 
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 Power of God's Re-Creative Life-Giving Spirit

Pentecost is remaking the coward who wouldn’t admit he knew Jesus.

Thursday • 8/8/2024 •

Thursday of Proper 13

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 83; Psalm 145; Judges 8:22-35; Acts 4:1-12; John 1:43-51
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

More Than He Dared Ask For

The lame man got so much more than he had dared to ask for.

Wednesday • 8/7/2024 •

Wednesday of Proper 13

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:97-120; Judges 7:19–8:12; Acts 3:12-26; John 1:29-42
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

He is There Now, Just as Much as in the Past

“For the Lord and for Gideon!” Gideon’s instructions betray his transformation from fear to arrogance.

Tuesday • 8/6/2024 •

Tuesday of Proper 13

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 78:1-39; Judges 7:1-18; Acts 3:1-11; John 1:19-28
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

About Trusting God

We note God’s patience with cowardly Gideon’s lack of faith.

Monday • 8/5/2024 •

Monday of Proper 13

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 80; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 2:37-47; John 1:1-18
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 Song for Deliverance

Thus, Deborah’s song anticipates the other half of Jesus’s baptism on the Cross: his rising to life and victory.

Friday • 8/2/2024 •

Friday of Proper 12

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 69; Judges 5:1-18; Acts 2:1-21; Matthew 28:1-10
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

God Will Bring His Redemptive Purposes to Fruition

The suprise is that the woman who ultimately seals this victory is not Deborah, but someone else.

Thursday • 08/01/2024 •

Thursday of Proper 12

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 71; Judges 4:4-23; Acts 1:15-26; Matthew 27:55-66
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 Most Unlikely Hero

I reflect on Ehud’s left-handedness and the scorned “left-handedness” of God’s plan to conquer sin and death through a most unlikely hero.

Wednesday • 7/31/2024 •

Wednesday of Proper 12

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 72; Judges 3:12-30; Acts 1:1-14; Matthew 27:45-54
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

More Than Conquerors

“The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet.”

Tuesday • 7/30/2024 •

Tuesday of Proper 12

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 61 & 62; Judges 2:1-5, 11-23; Romans 16:17-27; Matthew 27:32-44
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

Our Tears

David envisions each of his tears being acknowledged, treasured, and preserved by his Heavenly Father.

Monday • 7/29/2024 •

Monday of Proper 12

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 56, 57, & 58; Joshua 24:16-33; Romans 16:1-16; Matthew 27:24-31 

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

God's Good Grace

Each of us can rightly consider our own distinct call, the particular place we are to serve Christ and his Kingdom.

Friday • 7/26/2024 •

Friday of Proper 11

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 40 & 54; Joshua 9:22–10:15; Romans 15:14-24; Matthew 27:1-10

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

That We Might Have Hope

It’s encouraging to know that the Lord works for our good and the good of others even through our failures.

Thursday • 7/25/2024 •

Thursday of Proper 11

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 50; Joshua 9:3-21; Romans 15:1-13; Matthew 26:69-75

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

Walking in Love

Flaunting one’s freedom is not “walking in love.”

Wednesday • 7/24/2024 •

Wednesday of Proper 11

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:49-72; Joshua 8:30-35; Romans 14:13-23; Matthew 26:57-68

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

Christ's Church, Built With Love, Not Swords

God’s eternal Kingdom ultimately would not come by the sword, by conquest, or by power politics.

Tuesday • 7/23/2024 •

Tuesday of Proper 11

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 45; Joshua 8:1-22; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 26:47-56

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

The Cup of Blessing Runs Over for Us

Because the cup of blessing “runs over” for us, even the Law…now takes on a different role.

Monday • 7/22/2024 •

Monday of Proper 11

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalms 41 & 52; Joshua 7:1-13; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 26:36-46

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