Jeremiah 17:5-10 Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of my ordination as a deacon in the Church, and as I’ve been reflecting on the past 6 years something has struck me. I have served nearly my entire ordained ministry in “unprecedented times.” Plague, violence around the world, multiple contentious election cycles, an awakening to a newContinue reading “The Trust of (Angel) Trees”
Author Archives: amcaudill27
Show Up
Luke 2:22-40 Today, the 40th day after surviving childbirth, Mary brings her infant firstborn to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and make an offering in thanksgiving for his birth and Mary’s safe delivery. Mary and Joseph are new, still figuring out the parenting thing and the marriage thing, but this is one thingContinue reading “Show Up”
It All Matters to God
Luke 2:41-52 I’ve always loved this story from Luke. This episode in Jerusalem is the only glimpse we get into what an adventure it must have been to raise God’s son. I’ve never been one for the poetic and artistic depictions of Jesus as a child who never cried, who was quiet and obedient andContinue reading “It All Matters to God”
Joseph’s Chosen Family
Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 This morning, I’m thinking about Joseph. In a great reversal of the Biblical norm, Joseph is seen and not heard while his wife Mary gets all the great lines. Joseph does not speak a single line of dialogue in scripture. All we know about him from the Biblical witness is that heContinue reading “Joseph’s Chosen Family”
God Comes Close
Luke 2:1-14(15-20) God looked at the world, the world full of anger and jealousy, the world full of people hurting one another and failing one another and ignoring one another, and chose to come closer. God looked at the oppressed peoples living under violent regimes, looked at the earth he made to shelter us beingContinue reading “God Comes Close”
The First Christian Liturgy
Luke 1:39-45(46-55) What is depicted in our Gospel passage today is the first Christian worship service in history, a gathering of two faithful people celebrating Jesus, Immanuel, the Christ, before he has even come into the world. The presence of the Word incarnate is so powerful that Elizabeth’s unborn son leaps for joy, alerting hisContinue reading “The First Christian Liturgy”
I Just Pray for Peace
I recently had the great privilege to hear in person a song that has carried me through some really hard times. The singer-songwriter Spencer LaJoye is a nonbinary Queer artist with a Masters in Divinity and an incredible gift for telling the beautiful truth. When introducing this song at their concert in Roanoke last week,Continue reading “I Just Pray for Peace”
Winnowing
Luke 3:7-18 There’s nothing like getting called a brood of vipers to really get you in the holiday spirit! The lectionary keeps reminding us that yes, the birth of the Christ Child is just around the corner, but there’s more to the preparations than decorating trees and baking treats. John, the miraculous child of twoContinue reading “Winnowing”
Remembering the Past, Blessing the Future
The Song of Zechariah, Canticle 16, found on page 92 of the Book of Common Prayer or alternatively Luke 1:68-79 You, my child, shall be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.Continue reading “Remembering the Past, Blessing the Future”
The Promised After
Luke 21:25-36 In this sermon, I reference the destruction in Nelson County VA caused by Hurricane Camille in 1969. One of the two parishes I serve is located in Massies Mill, one of the communities most impacted by that storm. Grace Episcopal Church in Massies Mill is one of very few buildings built pre-1969 thatContinue reading “The Promised After”
