Psalm 50 Homily

My latest homily, given in class:

Psalm 50 Homily

Revelation 18:21-24 Homily

My second homily given in class. Some noticeable nervousness.

Revelation 18:21-24

Luke 7:36-50 Homily

I am in a Homiletics class (Homiletics is the art of preaching), and we gave our first homilies in class today. Here is mine...

Luke 7:36-50 Homily

The Philosophy of Summer Scheduling

It is now the end of May, and since my last real blog post, much has happened in the way of life changes. I have completed my first full year of seminary (I had only finished my first semester last I wrote), with this last semester being much more enjoyable and spiritually enriching than the previous. It is always hard to notice the changes of your person as they happen, but looking back over the nine or ten months, I can say that I have grown in a lot of ways, and am much more aware of the parts of me that need continued growth. By working at the Credit Union, I have learned how unfit I am to deal with "difficult" people, otherwise known as "The American Consumer." But over time, I have slowly become more patient, more kind, and more understanding toward those whom I interact with. There are many ways in which I had begun to feel entitled to things which I did not have right to, and honestly, as a teller, my duty is to serve those who come in whichever way they so please (as is appropriate to my job description). I have developed better friendships with my co-workers, and consider myself very lucky to not have one that I do not get along with. Each, obviously, has their quirks, but they are all very enjoyable personalities, and I am glad to have gotten to know each of them.

Just this past month, I was hired by Prince of Peace Anglican in Hopewell as the Youth Minister. It is a part-time position, that entails leading youth groups and hosting youth ministry events. As my first "order of business" I began a series on the "Come and See" passages in the Gospel according to John. The youth have really latched on to the idea of being "Come and See" Christians, and I am very thankful for the kids that I have in the group. There are about seven consistent members, and two or three others who come by now and again. As those numbers may sound discouraging at first, I have been blessed enough that each of the students who have been coming sincerely desire to learn, grow, and engage with the Scriptures. I would rather that than have a group of twenty who are only there to have fun or be with friends.

Before I was hired, I had been volunteering with the youth for roughly two and a half months while the old youth minister, Mandy Hughes, was finishing up her final time with them. In that time, my heart began to grow for them, and I strongly desired to take part in their lives, to help them be formed into the men and women of God they are called to be. I had visited the youth group once in my first semester, and at that time, I knew I was not in a right place for it. I was having a rough time in seminary, overwhelmed by my classes and work schedule, and was still trying to find the church I belonged to in the Ambridge area. But, once I had settled at Prince of Peace, and got the invite from Mandy and her husband, Brian to come to youth group once more, I decided to give it another shot. It was then that I experienced a strong bond with some of the students there, and was able to fill needs the Youth Group had as a volunteer. Though I had known that Mandy would be leaving since the beginning of the year, it wasn't until that time that I felt a real sense of desire to have a role in the youth ministry at Prince of Peace.

The students all seem to like me thus far as the new Youth Minister. One of the parents told me that their kids talk about me at home and are excited about the things we are doing as youth group this summer (praise God!). I look forward to the way that the youth group will grow, not just in number, but in fellowship and in deep relationship with Jesus. They have all been a huge blessing on my life, and I thoroughly enjoy the time that I have with them. I couldn't have asked for a better core group of kids with which to start off this next new venture in my life of ministry. I look forward to the things the Lord has planned for us to do, and pray for the faith to do them in accordance with his will.

This June, I will be taking a class on Paul, taught by the Bishop Grant Lemarquand, who will be leaving after the course to serve as the Assisting Bishop in the Horn of Africa. He was my adviser while at Trinity, which means that once a week, I met with him and other students for prayer and fellowship. He is a great man, and I look forward to his last hoorah at Trinity in the form of Pauline studies. The reading for the course is N.T.Wright's Paul: A Fresh Perspective and Ken Bailey's Paul through Mediterranean Eyes, neither of which could be considered "light" reading. I have a book review for each of those due before the class starts (it is only a week-long, eight-hours-a-day class), as well as a thesis statement for my final paper. It is definitely a lot of pressure, having two jobs, to get done, but very rewarding. I am just about a third done with the Wright book, and heavy as it is, it has been very enlightening and enriching. It will be tough week, but good.

Well, I think that gives a good idea as to what my summer will look like. I think it is going to be a great chance for growth and spiritual wellness in my life. I look forward to looking back at the things that have happened from now until then. The goal is always to grow, and always to be more than who you are when you start out-- as hard as it may get along the way. I just need to be reminded that I am not on this journey alone. Not only do I have my friends, my family, my church, and the youth group. I have the Lord. And looking to him will be the way to true growth and discovery of self. My focus must be fully on him, and on his power to shape my life over my own (and his control in all situations).

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Until next time,

Peace be with you.

Poem, "Contemplation of a Mocker at the Foot of the Savior's Cross"

A Good Friday poem, 2010

“King of the Jews”

Is that what they've charged against you?

Another lie.

Your crime is murder.

I gave up my life,

but, where do I go from here?

You knew me, didn't you?

Do you still know?

Do you know what I have become?

Because of you, what I have become?

I am a heretic.

I am a blasphemer.

I am an outcast.

I am in shame.

And I am these things because of you.

I trusted you,

and you led me to your death--
to your betrayal.

I hang on that cross,

A criminal,

A deserter.

And where do I go from here?

Now, your shame

pours over my head

and falls from my hands.

“From dust you came; to dust you shall return.”

Not even lepers would take me in.

Not with these stains.

Why did you call on me?

You knew me, didn't you?

Do you still know?

Won't you save yourself?

Can you remember me where you go?

Prove yourself and come down

so that I might be spared

this shame--

this guilt--

this death of following you.

Why did I come

If it was only to end like this?

You knew me didn't you?

Do you still know?

Can you look at me and not weep?

You raise the dead, and yet you die.

“The King of the Jews”

hangs on a tree.

And the dead come to bury.

It is your turn to bury.

What life is this?

What life is left?

Do you call for Elijah;

and will he come to save you?

Will he come to save me?

You knew me, didn't you?

Do you still know?

Do you know me and where I am from?

I cannot go where you are going.

And I cannot go back.

But you knew me, didn't you?

Do you still know?