Derek is an Episcopal priest and a Franciscan tertiary in the Third Order, Society of St. Francis. Derek currently serves as Associate Rector at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Tequesta, FL. Derek has also worked as a school chaplain, a youth minister, worship leader, and bilingual (Spanish-English) preacher. He lives with his wife, two sons, and two cats in Jupiter, FL.
In what ways do you identify the “Thor” within yourself that seeks control, strength, and power over vulnerability and meekness?
How can you cultivate a deeper sense of openness to allow room for God’s presence in your life?
Reflect on a recent experience of grief or struggle. How did you respond, and how might approaching it with the mindset of Christ’s teachings change that response?
What practical steps can you take to embrace the blessings of the Beatitudes in your everyday life?
How can you support others in acknowledging their own woundedness and help them experience the love and grace of God?
In what areas of my life am I experiencing loneliness, and how can I take proactive steps to connect with others in my community?
How do I prioritize relationships in my daily life, and what changes can I make to ensure I am casting my net more effectively?
In what ways do I embody the call to be a “fisher of people”? Who in my life might I invite to join our community?
How do I balance my individual pursuits with the need for community involvement, and what might I need to adjust to better align with Jesus’ call to belong to one another?
Reflect on a time when you felt a strong sense of belonging. What did that experience teach you about the importance of community in your spiritual journey?
In what areas of my life do I feel inadequate or unprepared, and how can I embrace my shortcomings as opportunities for growth and service?
How has my understanding of faith been shaped by my experiences of failure or imperfection, and what lessons can I draw from those moments?
In what ways can I cultivate humility and openness in my daily life to better recognize Christ’s presence and guidance?
How do I typically respond to my own faults or failures, and how might shifting my perspective bring me closer to understanding God’s grace?
What steps can I take to foster a sense of community and interdependence with others, recognizing that we all share in the journey of faith, imperfections and all?
What feelings arise within me when I consider the symbolism of water in my own life? How do I relate to the notion of stepping into the water alongside Jesus?
In what areas of my life do I struggle to let go of control? How might surrendering this control allow me to experience a deeper connection with God?
How do I understand the concept of forgiveness as “letting go” in my relationships with others? Are there specific situations or individuals I need to practice this with?
Reflecting on my own baptism, what does it mean for me to renew my baptismal vows today? How can I embody this renewal in my daily life?
What hesitations do I experience that keep me from fully embracing the presence of Jesus? How can I address these hesitations to deepen my spiritual journey?
In what moments or places in your life have you felt a deep sense of beauty that made you long to stay or linger?
Reflect on your current spiritual journey: do you see yourself as a visitor, a pilgrim, or at home in your relationship with God? How does this understanding affect your approach to worship and prayer?
Consider the different prayer postures mentioned in the homily (standing, kneeling, sitting). Which posture resonates most with you in your current spiritual state, and why?
How can you intentionally create sacred spaces in your life that allow you to encounter God more deeply and often? What practices can you adopt to foster a sense of pilgrimage in your everyday routine?
In what ways can you be more mindful of God’s presence in your life and recognize yourself as a dwelling place for God? How can this awareness shape your interactions with others and your community?
How do I experience the physicality of my faith in my daily life? In what ways do I acknowledge the connection between my spiritual life and my bodily experiences?
What are some areas in my life where I feel a deep yearning for God’s presence? How can I invite Christ into those physical and emotional spaces?
Reflect on a moment when you experienced God’s presence in a bodily way. How did it impact your faith journey?
In what ways can I cultivate awareness of the natural world around me during this Advent season, and how does that awareness enhance my understanding of the Incarnation?
How do the stories of Adam and Eve and Mary resonate with my personal journey of saying yes or no to God? What might I need to prune in my life to prepare for Christ’s coming?
Thoughts on Faith 