In Times of Conflict O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, (1/2)

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another. (Psalm 19:1-2)

"What we do for our brother for Christ's sake is what we carry with us when we die." - Peter Maurin, (1877-1949)

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11b)

"Our work for peace must begin within the private world of each one of us. To build for man a world without fear, we must be without fear. To build a world of justice, we must be just." - Dag Hammarskjöld, (1905-1961)

"God is the good and all things which proceed from him are good." - Hildegard of Bingen, (1098-1179)

For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation. (Psalm 62:1)

Whenever I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

My sermon for today:

Hear my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my petition. Listen to me and answer me; I have no peace, because of my cares. (Psalm 55:1-2)

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me. (Psalm 40:14)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea; (1/2)

Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.' (Luke 6:20-21)

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays." - Søren Kierkegaard, (1813-1855)

My sermon for today: #episcopal #anglican #owingsmills #baltimorecounty #baltimore #discipleship

"We are all strangers in a strange land, longing for home, but not quite knowing what or where home is. We glimpse it sometimes in our dreams, or as we turn a corner, and suddenly there is a strange, sweet familiarity that vanishes almost as soon as it comes…" - Madeleine L'Engle, (1918-2007)

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)

For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. (1/2)

i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes - E.E. Cummings, (1894-1962)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

On Labor Day: Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; (1/2)

My sermon for today: #episcopal #anglican #owingsmills #baltimorecounty #baltimore

"Sin happens whenever we refuse to keep growing." - Gregory of Nyssa, (c.335-c.394)

"Prayer and love are learned in the hour when prayer has become impossible and your heart has turned to stone." - Thomas Merton, (1915-1968) #prayer #love

“Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.” - Augustine of Hippo, (354-430)

"Because the needy are oppressed, and the poor cry out in misery, " I will rise up," says the Lord, "and give them the help they long for." (Psalm 12:5)

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you. (Psalm 5:3)

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; (1/2)

My sermon for today:

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Owings Mills, Maryland. #episcopal #anglican #owingsmills #baltimorecounty #baltimore #allarewelcome #servantchurch

“Commit Poetry!” @citylightsbooks.bsky.social August 15, 2025 #SanFrancisco

“When we serve the poor and the sick we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus.” - Rose of Lima, (1586-1617)

Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you; show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you. (Psalm 143:8)

"Humility is the surest sign of strength." - Thomas Merton, (1915-1968) #humility

The View from Poet’s Corner, Filbert Street and Grant Avenue #SanFrancisco August 14, 2025

"Love seeks no cause beyond itself and no fruit; it is its own fruit, its own enjoyment. I love because I love; I love in order that I may love.” - Bernard of Clairvaux, (1090-1153)

Lazy afternoon at the Deer Nursery (All four fawns are present!)

The Poetry Room at @citylightsbooks.bsky.social August 15, 2025 #SanFrancisco

"When someone asks us if we are Christians, I think the best answer is to tell them to ask the poor, the incarcerated, the immigrants and refugees, the widows and the orphans. The 'least of these.' They will tell you who the Christians are." - Shane Claiborne, (b. 1975)

“Royal Visit”

"To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence: for God is love." - Thomas Merton, (1915-1968)

Sunday afternoon in the Pollinator Garden at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Owings Mills, Maryland.

A tight squeeze on Bannam Place, North Beach. #SanFrancisco August 12, 2025

A rare Sunday in the pew: This morning, with our wonderful assistant rector tending the St. Thomas’ flock, I experienced joyful worship at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Baltimore. Particularly special blessing to hear a very fine sermon by my seminary classmate Elizabeth Masterson.

Early Morning at Caffe Trieste #SanFrancisco

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)

On the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin: “Mary is not simply 'Mary, the Mother of God.' No, on the contrary. The Mother of God is the image of women everywhere. The Mother of God is Mary, independent woman; Mary, the unmarried mother; (1/2)

“Enjoy Sprite,” Grant Avenue and Washington Street. #SanFrancisco August 13, 2025

“I could not stand by in benevolent dispassion any longer without compromising everything I know and love and value." - Jonathan Myrick Daniels, (1939-1965) (The sculptures pictured are dedicated to Daniels. They were designed by Walter Hancock and are at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky.)