The Ever-Giving Flow of Divine Generosity

Two Sundays ago, on our Homecoming Sunday (when we bounced back to church), I read a poem from the Christian poet Rainer Maria Rilke who prayed, “May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.” I invited us to live our lives […]

Ephphatha – Be Opened!

Readings for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost (Year B Track 2) Isaiah 35:4-7a Psalm 146 James 2:1-17 Mark 7:24-37 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on September 9, 2018. “For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the […]

McCain and the Wisdom of the Maverick Gospel

Last Sunday, I preached on the life and death and witness of a young Episcopalian named Jonathan Myrick Daniels who understood in his “bones and sinews” the divine wisdom of self-giving love. He understood this wisdom through the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist, through which God communicates and offers his love to his people so […]

Jonathan Daniels and the Bread of Wisdom

This last Tuesday was the feast day of a modern-day martyr named Jonathan Myrick Daniels. Throughout the week, I have been reflecting on the life and death and witness of this young martyr. On Tuesday morning, some of the Associates of the Community of the Transfiguration and I gathered at Anne Pierson’s beautiful home […]

Grace That Saves a Kvetch Like Me

Readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 14 Year B Track 2) 1 Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:1-8 Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2 John 6:35, 41 – 51 This sermon was preached at Christ Episcopal Church in Eureka CA on August 12, 2018. By now, you know how much I like to glean wisdom from our Jewish […]

Transfigured by Glory

Our prayer book requires a response to the scriptures in a sermon. The preacher comments on the readings and helps us make connections with our lives. Sermons are not just Bible Studies in which we scrutinize the scriptures with critical eyes, though the sermons may take us deeply into the scriptures. Sermons are not merely […]

Sisters and Saints Martha and Mary

Readings for the Feast Day of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus Ruth 2:5-12 Psalm 36:5-10 Romans 12:9-13 John 11:1-7, 17-44 This sermon was preached by Fr. Daniel London at Sts. Martha and Mary parochial mission in Trinidad CA on Sunday July 29, 2018. “Your family is God’s gift to you as you are to them.” These […]

Holy Mischief

Readings from the Message for the Third Day of Camp Isaiah 1: 13-17 Psalm 70 Matthew 5:1-2, 6, 9-12 This sermon was preached by Fr. Daniel London at Camp Living Waters in Blue Lake CA on Wednesday July 25, 2018. “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. You are in good company. God’s […]

The Mother of Female Mystics

As many of you already know, I have been drawn to the spirituality of Christian mystics, especially Christian female mystics. I have taught courses on Christian female mystics such as the German Hildegard of Bingen, the Spanish Teresa of Avila, and my personal favorite, the English Julian of Norwich. A mystic is someone who […]

Where Are the Churches When it Comes to Foster Kids? Here

This article was published in the Times-Standard on Saturday July 7, 2018. An article by Michael Reagan (“What about the crying foster kids?”, Times-Standard, June 30, Page A4) criticized Democrats for complaining about the “zero tolerance” policy at the U.S. border, explaining that it was the “only issue they have left.” He then highlighted the urgent […]