amcaudill27

As a Gentile and a Tax Collector

In a world so full of conflict, so full of disagreement and dismissal and debate, where we can post or comment our unfiltered thoughts on the internet for thousands or even millions of strangers to take out of context, it only makes sense that in our day to day lives we would hope to minimizeContinue reading “As a Gentile and a Tax Collector”

High Demand Religion

It is rare in the Christian life that we receive clear, unequivocal instruction about how we are to live. Or rather, we are so constantly receiving messaging that is inconsistent or contradictory that it is almost impossible to discern what is the “right” way to live as a Christian in the world. Much of itContinue reading “High Demand Religion”

A Living Sacrifice

Sacrifice is something we speak of as the things that we lose, the things we give up, for the sake of some higher purpose. Our servicemen and women sacrifice their lives, both by their service and in some cases by their deaths, for the security of their country. Our firefighters and police officers sacrifice theirContinue reading “A Living Sacrifice”

Great Was Her Faith

Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 Jesus begins our narrative this morning by offending a group of Pharisees, after which he doubles down and expands on the message that first triggered controversy. Shortly after, and somehow in an entirely different place, now in Gentile territory, Jesus dismisses a woman who has come to him for aid. WhenContinue reading “Great Was Her Faith”

A Little Faith Is More Than Enough

Matthew 14:22-33 I have in my office an icon of this scene from Matthew’s Gospel. It depicts Peter’s fear, the water up to his waist, Jesus standing on the surface and reaching down to pull him from the waves. In Greek, the words of Peter run along the top of the icon: Lord, save me.Continue reading “A Little Faith Is More Than Enough”

Hold Nothing Back

Matthew 14:13-21 Taken. Blessed. Broken. Given. This is the formula of the Eucharist, the actions that must take place in order to transform simple offerings of bread and wine into something bigger, something deeper and more satisfying. Different denominations define the blessing differently, different churches use different types of bread and wine, we have differentContinue reading “Hold Nothing Back”

Misplaced Flowers

Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 In the television show Call the Midwife, a group of Anglican nuns works beside secular nurse-midwives to provide maternal healthcare to a crowded and impoverished neighborhood in East London. Based on a real convent with real nuns who did this crucial work, the show is punctuated with scenes from the daily life ofContinue reading “Misplaced Flowers”

Chaos Gardening

Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 The parable of the sower, the seeds, and the soil is so perfectly timed for this season when many plants are struggling in the heat, some are bent and bruised from the hard rains that hit one county but not the next, and some are just starting to bear fruit while others areContinue reading “Chaos Gardening”

In the Sight of Infants

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Ben and I were blessed during our travels last week to meet the families of many colleagues and friends, including children from 6 months to 16 years old. The teens were busy as most young people are these days, but the little ones were exceptionally hospitable hosts to us. Our friend’s sixContinue reading “In the Sight of Infants”

Laboring Together

This sermon was given on the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist on June 24th 2026 at the induction of the Rev. Allie McDougall as rector of St Mary’s parish in Walkerville, Windsor ON. It was a great honor and privilege to be asked to preach this special occasion, and I am soContinue reading “Laboring Together”