Thoughts on Faith

Find the full text of the homily here.

Also, I have been behind on posting homilies for the last couple months and the website is now updated! If you would like to see homilies from the last few weeks, find them here.

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways do I view my relationships through the lens of possession rather than connection? How can I shift this mindset?
2. Do I tend to see people around me as competitors or burdens? How can I work towards seeing them as siblings and members of a shared family?
3. How do I respond to feelings of unworthiness in my relationships? Do I seek to disconnect or deepen my connections?
4. Can I identify moments when I have referred to others using possessive language (e.g., “your son,” “this son of yours”)? What might change if I used inclusive language that emphasizes connection?
5. How can I actively foster a sense of belonging and community in my interactions with others, both within my family and in the larger community?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. What worries or fears have been consuming my thoughts recently, and how have they impacted my daily life?
2. In what ways can I intentionally seek out moments of solitude and prayer to connect with God when I am feeling overwhelmed?
3. How can I remind myself to rely on God’s love and support during challenging times, similar to a child feeling comforted in a parent’s embrace?
4. What steps can I take to shift my focus from my worries to the mission and purpose that God has for my life?
5. How can I be a source of comfort and support to others who may be navigating their own worries and fears?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. In what areas of my life do I find myself struggling with feelings of self-doubt or unworthiness? How can I recognize these feelings when they arise?
2. How do I typically respond to criticism or negative feedback? Can I think of a recent example where I reacted defensively instead of practicing welcome?
3. What specific emotions or temptations do I often fight against, and how might welcoming them change my approach to these challenges?
4. Can I recall a time when I felt deeply connected to God’s love and belovedness? How can I cultivate that sense of connection more frequently in my daily life?
5. How might the practice of the Welcoming Prayer help me to let go of my desires for validation or control in my relationships with others?

Find the full text here.

Questions for Reflection

1. Are there any hidden fears or hurts that I have been avoiding, and how might I confront them during this Lenten season?
2. What specific practices of fasting, prayer, or self-denial can I commit to this Lent that will help me open my heart to God’s love?
3. How can embracing the messiness of spiritual spring cleaning lead me to a deeper understanding of my faith and relationship with God?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. Who comes to mind when I think of the term “enemy,” and how do I currently view my relationship with this person?
2. In what ways have I attempted to withhold love from others, believing it to be a limited resource, and how can I open myself to sharing love more freely?
3. How does the concept of love as a flowing presence of God change my understanding of my interactions with others, especially those I find challenging?
4. What are some practical ways I can actively love those I consider adversaries, following Jesus’ teachings on loving our enemies?
5. How can I remind myself daily that I belong to love, and that love is not something I possess but something I can express and share abundantly?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. Are there individuals or groups I tend to categorize as solely “good” or “bad”? How might I challenge these assumptions and recognize the complexity within each person?
2. How do my beliefs about wealth and poverty shape my views on justice and compassion? What steps can I take to better align my actions with a more nuanced understanding?
3. In moments of judgment or condemnation towards others, how can I remind myself to pause and view the situation through the lens of compassion?
4. How can I actively seek out opportunities to practice compassion in my community, especially towards those I might not initially see as deserving of grace?
5. Who or what would I pronounce woe on? Where is God’s blessing there? Who or what would I pronounce as blessed? Where is the world’s woe/ brokenness there?

Questions for Reflection

1. In what ways does our church community currently affirm the dignity of individuals who are marginalized or overlooked in society? How can we improve in this area?
2. Reflecting on the five actions of Jesus—seeing, speaking with, providing for, calming fears, and calling into community—how well does our congregation embody these practices in our outreach and ministry efforts?
3. Consider a recent interaction you had with someone seeking support or guidance. Did you fully see and acknowledge their humanity? How might you change your approach in future encounters?
4. How can we measure the effectiveness of contemporary Christian movements in light of Jesus’ example? Which movements demonstrate genuine care and concern for others, and which objectify or alienate those they aim to serve?
5. Who in your life might be calling you to see and support them more intentionally? What specific actions can you take to build a loving relationship with them based on the example set by Jesus?

Find the full text of the homily here.

Questions for Reflection

1. How can I actively participate in nurturing relationships across generations within my community or family?
2. In what ways can I offer my wisdom and experiences to younger generations to support their growth and understanding of faith?
3. As a parent or caregiver, how do I ensure that I am instilling the love and knowledge of God in my children? What specific practices can I implement?
4. How can I remain open to receiving wisdom and guidance from older generations in my life, and what steps can I take to strengthen those connections?