His Desire Is for Me

“…the church confesses that she belongs to her Beloved, and she rejoices that her Beloved’s desire is for her.”

Tuesday • 11/5/2024 •

Proper 26

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 61; Psalm 62; Song of Songs 7:1-13; Revelation 14:14–5:8; Luke 13:1-9 

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

An Exclusive Love

“May you and I … Surrender to him all of our love, all of our desire, and all of our commitment.”

Monday • 11/4/2024 •

Proper 26

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 56; Psalm 57; Psalm 58; Song of Songs 6:1-13; Revelation 14:1-13; Luke 12:49-59 

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

His Image I Will Bear

He’s the Chief among ten thousand, and the fairest of the fair; I shall see Him in His beauty, and His image I shall bear.

Friday • 11/1/2024 •

Proper 25

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 40; Psalm 54; Song of Songs 5:9-16; Revelation 13:1-10 (and Saturday’s Revelation 13:11-18); Luke 12:13-31

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

Our Heavenly Lover Captures Our Hearts for All Time

Here, Michael the archangel fights the dragon who has been threatening the queen of heaven and her royal son.

Thursday • 10/31/2024 •

Proper 25

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 50; Song of Songs 5:2-8; Revelation 12:7-17; Luke 11:53–12:12 

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 Rediscovered Eden And More

Our singer finds in his bride a rediscovered Eden.

Wednesday • 10/30/2024 •

Proper 25

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:49-72; Song of Songs 4:9–5:1; Revelation 12:1-6; Luke 11:37-52

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 a Human Bride and Groom

The groom is the eternal Messiah.

Tuesday • 10/29/2024 •

Proper 25

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 45; Psalm 98; Song of Songs 4:1-8; Revelation 11:14-19; Luke 11:27-36

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

A Wedding Day

It’s important to keep in mind that Revelation’s story line is leading up to a wedding day.

Monday 10/28/2024 •

Proper 25

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 41; Psalm 52; Song of Songs 3:6-11; Revelation 11:1-14; Luke 11:14-26

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

Persevering at Jesus' Feet

“The Song of Songs meets us in whatever state of need for love our life finds us.”

Friday • 10/25/2024 •

Proper 24

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 31; Song of Songs 3:1-5; Revelation 9:1-13 (and Saturday’s Revelation 10:1-11); Luke 10:38-42 (and Saturday’s Luke 11:1-11)

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 Enchanted Universe

“Biblical faith stubbornly inhabits an enchanted universe.”

Thursday • 10/24/2024 •

Proper 24

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 37:1-18; Song of Songs 2:8-17; Revelation 9:1-12; Luke 10:25-37

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 Bring Christ's Bride Through It All

There is perhaps no better juxtaposition of love’s “already” and love’s “not yet” than in the pairing of today’s Gospel reading with today’s reading from Revelation.

Wednesday • 10/23/2024 •

Proper 24

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 38; Song of Songs 2:1-7; Revelation 8:1-13; Luke 10:17-24

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 Lord's Love for His People

“…there’s something about the Lord’s love for his people that is beyond rational calculation and covenantal obligation.”

Tuesday • 10/22/2024 •

Proper 24

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 26; Psalm 28; Song of Songs 1:9-17; Revelation 7:9-17; Luke 10:1-16

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 Best of Songs

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine!” Song of Songs 1:2

Monday • 10/21/2024 •

Proper 24

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 25; Song of Songs 1:1-7; Revelation 7:1-8; Luke 9:51-62

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

Yearning for Love

Song of Songs teaches us to sing, amid everything that is wrong in the world: “I’m my  Beloved’s and he is mine. His banner over me is love” (Song of Songs 2:4).

Friday • 10/18/2024 •
Proper 23 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 16; Psalm 17; Song of Songs (overview); Acts 28:1-16; Luke 9:28-36 

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

Trustworthy and Beautiful

May Jonah, through his hard-earned lessons, teach us that God is both absolutely trustworthy and consummately beautiful.

Thursday • 10/17/2024 •
Proper 23 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 18:1-20; Jonah 3:1-10; 4:1-11; Acts 27:27-44; Luke 9:18-27 

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 Fresh Start Because of a Fish

The fish whose belly should have been the end of Jonah becomes instead the end of an old Jonah and the beginning of a new Jonah.

Wednesday • 10/16/2024 •
Proper 23 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:1-24; Jonah 1:17-2:10; Acts 27:9-26; Luke 9:1-17 

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

Two Journeys, Different Goals

Intriguing comparisons in today’s readings: Two servants of the Word of God make westward sea journeys.

Tuesday • 10/15/2024 •
Proper 23 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 5; Psalm 6; Jonah 1;1-17; Acts 26:24-27:8; Luke 8:40-56 

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

A Garden Land

God will one day cause his people to live “in the midst of a garden land.”

Monday • 10/14/2024 •
Proper 23 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 1; Psalm 2; Psalm 3; Micah 7:1-7(8-20); Acts 26:1-23; Luke 8:26-39 

Adding Sunday’s OT Scripture: Micah 6:1-8 

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

Choose Wisely

The parable of the sower is about choosing wisely.

Friday • 10/11/2024 •
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 140; Psalm 142; Micah 3:9–4:5; Acts 24:24–25:12; Luke 8:1-15

Adding Saturday’s OT Scripture: Micah 5:1-4,10-15

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

To Love Much

The woman is unnamed, making it easier, I think, for us to put ourselves in her place.

Thursday • 10/10/2024 •
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 131; Psalm 132; Psalm 133; Micah 3:1-8; Acts 24:1-23; Luke 7:36-50 

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

An Invitation to the Dance

The sobriety of John the Baptist’s ministry is that his job was to issue a call to repentance.

Wednesday • 10/9/2024 •
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:145-176; Micah 2:1-13; Acts 23:23-35; Luke 7:18-35

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