As people of faith we are called to look beyond our flesh and blood, and beyond social norms to see that we are all brought into being by God and that through God we are all related. It is how we look at the things that we all share as human beings, the hopes and desires and wishing for a good and happy life, as things that all of us aspire to. We must not look at the human family as "us versus them", but rather that we are all children of God. Spiritual gifts are not like material goods; when we share those gifts they grow and do not diminish.

The Scripture references are Genesis 3:8-15, Psalm 138, and 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1. The Gospel reference is Mark 3:20-35.

The over-arching thread of Jesus' ministry that we see in the Gospels is His sense of immediacy. Refusing to be bound by the opinions and rules of the Pharisees, He preaches and heals and shares the resurrection life that he lives with everyone he meets. His rules are those that bring us to His Father, and God is at work everywhere and at every moment.

The Scripture references are 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Psalm 139:1-5,12-17, and 2 Corinthians 4:5-12. The Gospel reference is Mark 2:23-3:6.

The over-arching thread of Jesus' ministry that we see in the Gospels is His sense of immediacy. Refusing to be bound by the opinions and rules of the Pharisees, He preaches and heals and shares the resurrection life that he lives with everyone he meets. His rules are those that bring us to His Father, and God is at work everywhere and at every moment.

The Scripture references are 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Psalm 139:1-5,12-17, and 2 Corinthians 4:5-12. The Gospel reference is Mark 2:23-3:6.

Jesus tells Nicodemus that letting go of the concerns of this earthly life is the only way to enter into the life animated by God, that is, animated by love. The message is meant for us too. Jesus does not mean to fix the earthly things that worry us the most, the things that trouble the false self, but sets us free to embrace the spirit life God means for us as our true selves.

The Scripture references are Isaiah 6:1-8, Canticle 13, and Romans 8:12-17. The Gospel reference is John 3:1-17.

We often approach our faith like one approaches a new recipe, carefully following prescribed rules and never varying the ingredients. As our faith grows, though, we should move outside our comfort zone just as great chefs try new innovations and techniques. God has asked to be faithful, not infallible. We must look for God's spirit within us, and trust in that Spirit to help us seek out the persons and references that will help us to truly examine our faith. We have to learn to speak our truth, and to not remain silent when we see God's message of love co-opted or corrupted. The Spirit will support us when we do, and we will not fail.

The Scripture references are Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-35,37, and Romans 8:22-27. The Gospel reference is John 15:26-27,16:4b-15.

What does it mean to live a holy life? Holiness should not be confused with perfection. It's not something we can achieve on our own, but is received from God. When Jesus prayed for His disciples, He was also praying for those who belong to God, and who is not created and loved by God? He has made us holy, completely and irrevocably. We can and should fully live lives of reverence, in the deep joy of knowing who we are in God.

The Scripture references are Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 1, and Ephesians 1:15-23. The Gospel reference is John 17:6-19.

When we hear or read something that sounds profound or helpful, it's often our first instinct to think of how much someone else needs to hear it. We can be so comfortable in our righteousness, so aware of the shortcomings of others, that we neglect to look in the mirror at our own lives. When we take Jesus' commandment to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves truly to heart, and honestly examine ourselves as well as those we know, then we can truly grow in God's love. Looking in the mirror we see ourselves made in God's image, created for the task of loving.

The Scripture references are Acts10:44-48, Psalm 98:5-10, and 1 John 5:1-6. The Gospel reference is John 15:9-17.

Have you ever wondered why we pray for the dead? Or what are the sacraments? The Episcopal Catechism speaks to these and many more foundational aspects of the faith. You can listen to it here, or read it on page 845 of the Book of Common Prayer.

Have you ever wondered why we pray for the dead? Or what are the sacraments? The Episcopal Catechism speaks to these and many more foundational aspects of the faith. You can listen to it here, or read it on page 845 of the Book of Common Prayer.

In John's Gospel Jesus invites us to abide in Him and to share in the love of God. He asks us to make our home in God's love, the one place we are always safe and loved. Why would we want to dwell anywhere else? We do though, when we let our doubts and fears move us away from God's love. When we doubt our worthiness to be loved, or how others see us, or our failures in things we attempt, we build a home in fear. We don't have to be afraid. Our being loved has already been freely given to us by God and he has made us worthy, and no one can take that away from us unless we let them. We can live in fear or live in love, but not both. Where will you choose to live?

The Scripture references are Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:24-30, and 1 John 4:16-21. The Gospel reference is John 15:1-8.