Soul Searching: The Church of the Nativity Podcast

Father Jason pays homage to his dad in this episode exploring Luke 12:11-12.

Father Jason continues our exploration of John's Gospel as part of the Good Book Club. This week we discussed chapters 2-4, an action packed group of stories where Jesus is already crossing boundaries and stirring up trouble.

The Church of the Nativity is again participating The Good Book club a partnership between The Forward Movement publishing house and the Presiding Bishop to get Episcopalians across the church all reading the same book of the bible for the season of Epiphany. This year the book is the Gospel of John. In this podcast episode Father Jason explores the prologue, the first five verses, of the book.

For more information and resources on the Good Book Club go here:

https://www.goodbookclub.org/

Father Jason explores the story of the Magi, the wise ones who visit Jesus and bring expensive gifts fit for a king. What does this story tell us about where to look to encounter God?

On this first Sunday of the Christmas season, Father Jason explores what it means for the Word to become flesh highlighting how our spiritual practices of prayer, worship, and giving become incarnate in the world.

Father Jason finishes the sermon series on the Psalms of Advent preaching on Psalm 80. Fr. Jason calls on us to find stillness, silence, and solitude in the final hours of advent; so that, we might repent and call upon God to turn God's countenance to us.

Father Jason examines Psalm 80, which is appointed for Advent IV, Year A in the RCL. Psalm 80 is a reflection on repentance, and having the mature faith to call upon God for God to turn God's countenance toward us.

Links to research sources:

Rev. Jason Byassee's reflection on Working Preacher

James Mays book on the Psalms for the Interrpretation series.

This week Father Jason explores the fact the phenomenon of learning by singing. Psalm 146 teaches us to praise God by having us sing a song of praise. This habit of praise leads to trust and remembering God's mighty acts. Trusting and remembering lead to hope; hope not just for mere individual salvation rather for the entire creation to be redeemed.

In preparation for Advent 3 this coming Sunday, Fr. Jason looks at Psalm 146. He examines how the psalm teaches us to praise God and how praise leads to hope.