The collect (prayer) of the day (Tagesgebet) for this past Sunday is one of my favorites. Lord, we pray that your grace may always both precede and follow us, and make us continually be given … Read More
Of priests and neighbors (part 2)
We have considered the priestly function of the church—bringing our neighbors and their needs to God and bringing God and His blessings to our neighbors. The priestly function is a mediatorial role of standing in … Read More
Of priests and neighbors (part 1)
A number of years ago, I came across the following from William Malcom MacGregor on the priestly function of the pastor. “When a man awakens to his task there stirs in him a pitying sense … Read More
Praying with open ears
Have you ever been in a conversation, where the other person did all the talking? Where you could hardly get a word in edge-wise, because the person with whom you were trying to talk went … Read More
Embracing Baustellen
Berlin seems to be in a perpetual state of construction. For those of you who live here, the term “Baustelle” is quite familiar. The word translates “construction site” in English, and there are thousands of … Read More
Unrighteous Indignation
I am indignant. But lately, not just occasionally. In fact, I have begun to wonder if being indignant has become a part of me. There is such a thing as righteous indignation—anger because of sin … Read More
The idols we serve
I am becoming increasingly convinced that idol worship is a much bigger problem than we imagine. And it is not only a problem somewhere out there among the pagans. It is very close to home. … Read More
An Effective Eucharist
I was recently asked by a colleague from a non-liturgical church background about our weekly celebration of the Eucharist at Christ Church. He asked me if our service tended to be more somber or more … Read More
Ascension Joy
Tomorrow (which is forty days after Easter) we celebrate Ascension Day (Himmelfahrt). On the fortieth day after His Resurrection, while speaking to the disciples about the kingdom of God, Jesus ascended and was hidden from … Read More
personal musings before the wrecking ball
A place that is very dear to me stands before the wrecking ball. I learned the sad news last week that the historic Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church and former seminary building complex in West … Read More