amcaudill27

The Gift

John 13:1-17, 31b-35 On the last night of his earthly life, Jesus gave his friends a gift. Knowing that he would be betrayed by someone close to him this very night, knowing that most of the people in the room would pretend not to know him by morning, knowing that tomorrow the entire world wouldContinue reading “The Gift”

Our Story

Luke 19:28-40 & Luke 22:14-23:56 I’ve had a lot of conversations lately about this particular Sunday liturgy. Palm Sunday done in its fullness is an exceptionally long, logistically complicated service with a sharp change in tone about midway through the service. We begin in joy and pomp, with props and upbeat music and even aContinue reading “Our Story”

Costly Love

John 12:1-8 In the final week of his life and earthly ministry, Jesus returned to a familiar place and a beloved family. The three siblings, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus feature prominently throughout the Gospels. Mary, the dedicated pupil and bold worshipper of Jesus, known for sitting at his feet and anointing his body with fragrantContinue reading “Costly Love”

Choosing Another Way

Luke 4:1-13 As those of you who joined us for the Bible study this past Thursday night will already know, this passage from the Gospel according to Luke is more than meets the eye. This scene is relatively short, but it is rich with images and action and quick dialogue. On the movie screen ofContinue reading “Choosing Another Way”

Remember & Return

Ash Wednesday 2022 Something that I’ve heard time and time again in conversations with members of this community is that we’ve lost our sense of time. The traditions and activities that once helped us to mark time have been dislodged or altered or suspended. Life’s transitional moments seem to happen off stage, even when they’reContinue reading “Remember & Return”

In the Valley, Do Not Lose Heart.

Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] This is a difficult time to write a sermon. The legal and social services systems are being weaponized against trans youth and their families. War and violence are very real and very present for the people of Ukraine and Russia, and the ways this conflict is being discussed in the media areContinue reading “In the Valley, Do Not Lose Heart.”

What Love lives like.

Luke 6:27-38 As some of you may know, there has been a recent addition to the campus of Grace Episcopal Church in Massies Mill. If you happen to be driving down Crabtree Falls Highway toward the mountains, you’ll be greeted by an installation made up of apple crates, a tractor wheel, a bent fender, andContinue reading “What Love lives like.”

Called to Sainthood

Luke 6:17-26 This sermon was written for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, which in 2022 falls on the feast day of Absalom Jones, Priest. For the readings and collects assigned to Rev. Jones’ feast day, click here. The biographical information included here comes primarily from Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2018 beginning on pageContinue reading “Called to Sainthood”

It’s Not About the Nets.

Luke 5:1-11 Last weekend I had the great privilege of celebrating the Eucharist for the Youth at Convention event, a gathering of over 50 youth in middle and high school that took place alongside our Diocesan Convention. I knew that there were going to be young people running around the Hotel Roanoke, and I knewContinue reading “It’s Not About the Nets.”

One Body, Many Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. The metaphor of Christ’s body made up of each and every one of us is one of Paul’s most loved images, and continues to speakContinue reading “One Body, Many Gifts”