D-V's Desk

  In the Greek myth of Pandora, Pandora is given a box.   She is told NOT to open the box under any circumstances.   Curiosity eventually gets the best of Pandora, however, and she opens the box to see what is inside.   All the ills of the world come flying out: envy, sickness, hate, disease.   Quickly, Pandora snaps the box shut. Too late, the only thing that is left inside the box is hope.   Hope, that fragile thing with feathers. [1]   The Pandora myth teaches us about the persistence of hope.   Even in the face of challenges and obstacles, hope endures and pushes us on.   Hope encourages us with the way things should be as opposed to the way things are. What brings you hope?   What keeps you going in the face of life’s obstacles?   Maybe it is the support of family and friends.   Perhaps it is the promise of a fresh start a new day brings.   Maybe it is the joy of an ocean breeze and the tang of salt in the air. ...

          Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means a manifestation or realization.  The word can also mean to show or to reveal.  As when we have an AHA! moment of clarity or insight.  Everything about the season of Epiphany points you and me to Jesus’ identity.  Jesus is revealed in word and deed as the Son of God Incarnate.             A close reading reveals that Jesus is about two years old at Epiphany.  You may remember that shortly before this, Herod orders the killing of all baby boys under the age of two (Matthew 2:16 ).  If the Magi left when they saw the star announcing Jesus’ birth, then their journey took about two years from the East to Nazareth, via Jerusalem.             Even at this young age, Jesus is recognized as being for all people.  This is proclaimed as strangers from afar come to honor Jes...

What if God was one of us Just a slob like one of us Just a stranger on the bus Tryin' to make His way home?   So asks the song by Joan Osburne.   As people of faith, we believe that we do not have to wonder.   We believe that God, did in fact, become one of us.   Tonight, we gather to remember that wonderful mystery.   God became human flesh and blood in a vulnerable, helpless baby.   Or, as Max Lucado likes to say, God moved into the neighborhood.   God pitched tent and lived among us.   As one of us.   Can you imagine that?   The Author and Source of all life became like one of us.   That is how much God, the Creator of the Universe, loves us.   Each and every last one of us.   The Babe of Bethlehem, the Christ Child is God’s personal love note to you and me.   God did not send another prophet.   No, God sent the One called Immanuel, God with Us, the Son, God’s very own Self to “...

This month the Diocese gathers in Binghamton at Christ Church for the 157 th Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Central New York.   We will meet both in person and via Zoom.   Convention is one day this year, Saturday 18 October.   I confess, even as an extreme introvert, I enjoy Conventions.   There is something powerful about seeing all those Episcopalians in one place and worshipping together from across the Diocese (or across the Episcopal Church in the case of General Convention). Every Convention also includes carrying out the work of Convention.   We hear ministry reports, adopt a budget, vote on resolutions (including clergy compensation), and elect new leadership to various bodies or committees that help the Diocese carry out its ministry.   Delegates will also be elected to the General Convention in 2027 in Phoenix, AZ.   Bishop DeDe will present an address to the Convention that typically includes highlights of the past year and vision...

              Really, Jesus?   “I bring not peace, but division”?   “Whoever does not hate father or mother cannot follow me’?”   What happened to love God, love neighbor?   What happened to being a kind and caring neighbor from the other week?   Does Jesus really call us to hate our families and to actively seek division?   This just not sound like the Jesus we are used to.   Not at all.             Scholars consider our text today among the difficult sayings of Jesus.   I once had a college philosophy professor who liked to cite such passages as proof against Christianity.   The professor said Jesus sets such high standards that no one could possibly hope to meet.   Plus, there are the conflicting teachings of Jesus like here in Luke.   Thus, no rational being should or could be a Christian.    ...

  It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood A beautiful day for a neighbor Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Many, if not most of us here, grew up with these words.   Perhaps we watched the show as youngsters.   Maybe we saw it with children or grandchildren.   Or at least we are familiar enough to know where they come from.   Each episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood began with Fred Rogers singing this song as he entered his home.   A lawyer comes to Jesus asking how he can be sure of eternal life.   The lawyer wants to be sure that he has earned a place in God’s heavenly kingdom.   And, on the surface, the lawyer has succeeded.   He has done everything right.   He can even recite the two great commandments: love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus’ response to the lawyer’s question of “who is my neighbor?” is to tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan.   The Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ ...