Pentecost: John’s Critique of Our Preoccupation With Sin By The Rev. Rian Adams Pentecost is the time of the church year where Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. However, over the years it’s also been a confusing time for me personally. Mostly because sermons tend to focus our attention on how the Spirit came (e.g. rushing mighty wind) or when the Spirit came (e.g. when the church was gathered in one mind… unity) instead of why. The Gospel lesson for Pentecost Sunday gives us a good look at why. As…
Grace: A Poem For My Grandparents On Their 62nd Wedding Anniversary My grandparents taught me the beauty and the subtle art of grace through their relationship. Today they celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary and as such I offer them this humble poem. They are people who are willing to suffer together because of their spirituality. Compassion for the other marked their relationship. It is quite challenging in a day when pop culture says that relationships are about ourselves. If you would like to read more of there story please click here. If you would like to check out more…
Reflections on Grace: The 62nd Wedding Anniversary of My Grandparents By The Rev. Rian Adams Today my grandparents, both alive and in good health, celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary. I learned many lessons about grace as I watched and reflected on their relationship. I woke up early this morning intending to work on my dissertation that, ironically enough, focuses on a theology of mercy. That’s when it hit me; a great way to understand mercy is to reflect on how amazing people have lived their vocations together these past 62 years. Their love has modeled compassion and…
How To Be Happy: Poetry by Rian Adams How to be happy is a question that has spawned thousands of ideas, books, and even religions. Everyone seems to have a simple answer to a very complex issue. We often overlook some of life most important lessons because we are too busy looking for life’s answers. One thing being a priest has taught me is to avoid the people who have all the answers. The older I get the more questions I have. I’ve learned that the essence of happiness is living in the moment and…
Eyes and Soul: Poetry by Rian Adams The poem Eyes and Soul is a take on William Shakespeare’s quote, “The eyes are the window to the soul.” I think something spiritual happens when we observe eyes staring back at us in wonder. In essence, it reminds us that we are truly alive. Even Matthew, the Gospel writer, says this, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy then your whole body is filled with light.” Matthew’s message is clear, when our eyes are fixed on beauty…
Unity: The Spirituality of Jesus’s High Priestly Prayer by Rian Adams Unity. We don’t know what it is, but we certainly know what it’s not. Unity is not connectivity. We have plenty of connections these days… Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… even connections at church. The list goes on and on. But are we any closer to real unity with God and one another? I think this week’s lectionary reading confronts a longing deep inside of us for a oneness of heart and soul. Most agree, “sure we need unity…