From Silence+Something To Say

Advent, like all seasons in the church calendar, is an invitation to a journey. We begin our Christian year in waiting. We do not begin with our own frenetic effort or energy . . . Instead, we begin in a place of longing and stillness: “O come, O come, Emmanuel.” Of all the liturgical seasons, … Continue reading "Advent Silence: Engaging The Season Of Hope" The post Advent Silence: Engaging The Season Of Hope appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

My Sermon this past Sunday at Church of the Incarnation, expressed my continued reflection on the “Parables of The Future.” The future pulls us and shapes us. In the Christian view, the being of humans is bound up with the future to which we are destined. Ultimately that future is the Consummation of all things, … Continue reading "The Parable of The Talents: Living A Life Of Significance" The post The Parable of The Talents: Living A Life Of Significance appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

I shared this homily today at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando, on this 24th Sunday after Pentecost. My reflection is on the Parable of The Ten Bridesmaids, Matthew 25: 1-13. A story of entering every day, the reign of God. A story of the revelation of the heart, the deepest part of who we are … Continue reading "Attentive Living In Christ: The Parable Of The Ten Bridesmaids" The post Attentive Living In Christ: The Parable Of The Ten Bridesmaids appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

The gift of open doors and invitations to offer my vocation as a retired priest, are a treasure in my stage of life. This was true this past Sunday, having the joy of celebrating All Saints Sunday. The Feast of All Saints has deep meaning for me, having served as Rector of All Saints Parish … Continue reading "All Saints Sunday: The Capacity To Make God Real" The post All Saints Sunday: The Capacity To Make God Real appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

It was my great privilege and honor to give the Burial Homily for Alex Robertson, son of my good friends Randy and Pat Robertson, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park, FL. It was there, when I served as Rector, that our paths crossed on the Journey and the Way. I share these words … Continue reading "For Alex: What God Creates, God Loves Everlastingly" The post For Alex: What God Creates, God Loves Everlastingly appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

It takes a great deal of courage to be a human being. Our journey through life as followers of Jesus is lived in the “now and the not yet” of a new unending kind of life. We have a transforming friendship with God here and now. There is a deep joy and peace that can … Continue reading "Courage: A Word Of Assurance – A Word of Hope Romans 8:12-25" The post Courage: A Word Of Assurance – A Word of Hope Romans 8:12-25 appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2We are in a sermon series on Romans during the summer at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando. I have had the joy of filling in for the Rector, Jonathan Turtle while he … Continue reading "In Christ: The Truth And Way Of My Being" The post In Christ: The Truth And Way Of My Being appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

It was a gift of grace to preach on the Feast of The Ascension. I am grateful to be serving Fr. Jonathan Turtle, Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, as a Retired Associate in the parish. I preach occasionally and hope to share my heart with all of you. Here is a short video clip. The … Continue reading "The Ascension Of Jesus: Everywhere Present And Filling All Things" The post The Ascension Of Jesus: Everywhere Present And Filling All Things appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

What is the basic direction and orientation of a truly human life? When St. Ignatius of Loyola had written his Spiritual Exercises, he added a short preface, a skeletal summary of the inner journey to be made through his Exercises. Later commentators called this preface ‘The First Principle and Foundation’. It has been compared to … Continue reading "I Choose What Deepens God’s Life In Me" The post I Choose What Deepens God’s Life In Me appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

He was one of my best and lifelong friends. I met Fr. Eric Ravndal III, and his wife Sarah, and their four kids (Chris, Beth, Eric III, and Mary) in 1977. I was just 24 years old. We were both entering Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary on our journey to become Ordained Priests. We were instant … Continue reading "For Fr. Eric Ravndal III R.I.P. – Christ The Consoler And Assurance Of A New Unending Life" The post For Fr. Eric Ravndal III R.I.P. – Christ The Consoler And Assurance Of A New Unending Life appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

As I walk and live in this stage of my life, good friends and companions whom I have known and loved on this earthly pilgrimage are no longer here. Jane Nies was one of them and she is now in the fullness of eternity with God. I was privileged to be the homilist at her … Continue reading "For Jane Nies: Consider The Lilies, Behold The Radiance" The post For Jane Nies: Consider The Lilies, Behold The Radiance appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Beginnings and Endings. It is your ending and my ending that mark the beginning of this new season and that we remember on Ash Wednesday. The reality of our ending is always before us. This past January I turned 70, a milestone moment of … Continue reading "Ash Wednesday and The Season of Lent: Being With God" The post Ash Wednesday and The Season of Lent: Being With God appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

In the gospel reading for the third Sunday of Advent, the imprisoned John the Baptist asks the most heart-breaking question in the bible and asks it for all of us: ‘Are you the one … or must we wait for someone else? When this inquiry is conveyed to Jesus, the Lord does not respond theoretically, … Continue reading "Advent III: ” What You See And Hear”" The post Advent III: ” What You See And Hear” appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

This is my homily from the Second Sunday of Advent at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Orlando, Florida at the 8:00 am service. I enjoy the quiet contemplative atmosphere of the first Eucharist of the day as it gives me a reflective approach to offering my engagement with the Gospel reading. I have returned to Emmanuel for … Continue reading "The Spiritual Wisdom of Advent II: John The Baptist" The post The Spiritual Wisdom of Advent II: John The Baptist appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, the principal feast of Mary in all branches of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church, and even in some Protestant churches as well. Considering that she is regarded as the greatest of the saints, today marks the chief saints day which the church commemorates year … Continue reading "A Fanfare For The Feast Of St. Mary The Virgin. August 15, 2022" The post A Fanfare For The Feast Of St. Mary The Virgin. August 15, 2022 appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

It was a gift today to serve as a Supply Priest at Christ The King Parish in Lakeland, Florida. We lived in Lakeland in 1981-1982 when I was serving as Assistant Rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church (sadly no longer a congregation). The Gospel Story of Jesus being welcomed by the two sisters Martha and … Continue reading "The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost July 17, 2022 “Only One Thing Necessary – Attentive Openness To God.”" The post The Sixth Sunday After Pentecost July 17, 2022 “Only One Thing Necessary – Attentive Openness To God.” appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

I offer this meditation and prayer on the exquisite Hymn: Come Down O Love Divine, sung by Anglicans and Episcopalians around the world on Pentecost Sunday. The lyric was composed by Bianco de Sienna, Italy, in the 14th century. The tune is from Ralph Vaughn Williams. (I play an instrumentation of the melody I created … Continue reading "Come Down O Love Divine: A Hymn Meditation For Pentecost" The post Come Down O Love Divine: A Hymn Meditation For Pentecost appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say .

I have just returned from a wonderful invitation to lead a Mens Retreat for The Brotherhood of Saint Andrew of The Diocese of Oklahoma. My very good friend Fr. David Bumstead, The Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tulsa OK, also invited me to Celebrate Eucharist, Preach, and Officiate at Evensong this past Sunday, May … Continue reading "The Good Shepherd And Confident Companionship" The post The Good Shepherd And Confident Companionship appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say And To Do.

Jesus’s ultimate parable of the return of the Prodigal Son speaks truth at every part of our journey through life. Jesus himself is the “parable of God” who is aways revealing the heart of the Father. The heart of the Father is compassion and he sees us as we are and can be: … Continue reading "Lent IV: The Fathers Heart+The Fathers Hands, The Prodigal Son" The post Lent IV: The Fathers Heart+The Fathers Hands, The Prodigal Son appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say And To Do.

My sermon today is taken from Philippians 4:4-7. It is a letter from jail to God’s people and it is saturated with joy. What helps me as I contemplate Paul’s advice to “rejoice always” is remembering that he writes his letter from prison, while awaiting trial and anticipating death. It requires that we hold … Continue reading "Advent III: Joy And The Guarding of God" The post Advent III: Joy And The Guarding of God appeared first on From Silence+Something To Say And To Do.