: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 • Jeremiah 1:4-10 • Acts 11:19-26 Jeremiah was a prophet called from a priestly family that had a history of conflict with the indulgent house of David. His family had long advocated for a return to God’s ways, and Jeremiah is called to make this critique public in what will be … read more
Psalm 31, 35 • Haggai 1:1-15 • Matthew 23:27-39 It’s not much of a Merry Christmas that comes in today’s Matthew reading. “Woe to you, you snakes, you brood of vipers.” It comes as a stark reminder that even as we are preparing to celebrate the wonder of the incarnation in a tiny baby born […]
Psalm 31, 35 • Isaiah 7:10–25 • Luke 22:14–30 Join this table, if you dare. Watch Jesus gather his friends, lean in with them as he says, “before I suffer” and “I will not eat again, I will not drink again.” Join in wondering. Share a bit of the bread divided, drink from the cup […]
<<Return to Advent Meditations page Psalms 40,54; 51; Zech. 7:8–8:8; Matt. 25:14-30; Rev. 5:6-14 “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” How’s […]
In early June, just before I came to Seminary of the Southwest to begin here as Director of Enrollment Management, I led a group of students from the Episcopal school where I had been serving as chaplain on a study tour in Israel. It was an incredible gift to walk alongside these mostly rising tenth […]
Psalm 146,147; Isaiah 1:1-9; Matthew 25: 1-13 Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer: The Rev. Hope Benko Advent Meditation Advent holds a contradiction, and today’s gospel reading highlights it. Jesus says: “Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Still, we spend this season counting down […]