The Luminous Podcast

The Luminous Podcast | Burning Hearts

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:31:39 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Share This Peace

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:32:32 GMT

Very Rev. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Love Wins

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:31:08 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Palm Sunday Reminder

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:49:19 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Unbinding the Living

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:53:23 GMT

Very Rev. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Paradox of Jesus

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:25:54 GMT

Rev. Deacon Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Seen and Sent

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:24:44 GMT

Very Rev. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | For God So Loves the World

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:59:33 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Power With & For: The Jesus Way

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:43:13 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast| Dust & Defiance

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:14:54 GMT

Very Rev. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Transfigured for Witness

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:19:09 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Love People Till They Ask You Why

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:49:08 GMT

Dr. Ramon Presson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Blessed Are You

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:11:20 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Follow Me

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 19:01:23 GMT

Kimberly Kooy, LMFT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Jesus Always

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:27:56 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Baptism With and For

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:34:41 GMT

Rev. Deacon Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Awe and Wonder

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:00:19 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Light We Carry

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:16:17 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | There Are Signs

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:01:57 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Strange Case of a Gospel of Peace

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:23:08 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Prepare the Way of the Lord

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:52:28 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Congruence of Hope

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 22:04:37 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Two Standards

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:08:45 GMT

Rev. Dcn. Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Call to Bless

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:13:31 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Children of the Resurrection

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:33:22 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Be Who God Made You to Be

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:30:12 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Humility Lights the Way

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 01:14:56 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Itching Ears

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:45:02 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | God of Exiles

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:37:35 GMT

Rev. Dcn. Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Come, Enter the Story

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 19:59:15 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Enough As Resistance

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:47:41 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Blessed Are the Merciful

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 02:01:38 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Relentless Love

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:22:12 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Joyful Surprise

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:30:21 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Table For Everyone

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:02:33 GMT

Very Rev. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | From Regulation to Liberation

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:52:38 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Completely Different Train

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:15:24 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Be Not Afraid Little Flock

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:01:15 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Great Feast of Friendship

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:47:45 GMT

Rev. Dcn. Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | What do We do Now?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 03:02:53 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Whole New Way of Making It

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 03:48:14 GMT

Rev. Dcn. Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Wounded Healers

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:26:35 GMT

Kimberly Kooy, LMFT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Joy that Surpasses Understanding

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 18:25:03 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Spirit Fruit

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:17:41 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Meal of Tears

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:39:30 GMT

Dr. Ramon Presson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Circle Dance

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:59:24 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Oneness

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:03:35 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | All Shall Be Well

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 12:09:02 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | True Knowing

Mon, 19 May 2025 13:00:50 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Good Shepherd

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:51:45 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Do You Love Me Now?

Mon, 05 May 2025 11:50:32 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Peace Be With You

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:53:32 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Transformation > Transaction

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:00:06 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Center of Everything

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:41:49 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Thin Places

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:01:51 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | What Was Thought Lost

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 22:18:00 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | From Why to What Now

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 13:53:58 GMT

Dr. Ramon Presson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Way of Jesus

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 21:02:50 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Congruent Lent

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 21:07:50 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Holy Dust

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 01:43:40 GMT

Rev. Mthr. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Transfiguration - Everything Belongs

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:50:15 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Freed People Free People

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 23:41:21 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Jazz, the Good Life, and Learning to Be Free to Love

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:15:47 GMT

Rev. Dcn. Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Walking the Dangerously Beautiful Road

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 18:29:14 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Choosing Love

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 21:39:29 GMT

Rev. Dcn. Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Empathy is No Sin

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:49:27 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Real Jesus is Good News for the World

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:48:03 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A New Way Home (Epiphany)

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 13:48:33 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Light Enlightens Everyone

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 14:21:01 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Light Has Come (Christmas)

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:11:41 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Here, Now

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:04:14 GMT

Very Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | His Gospel is Peace

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 22:45:37 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Advent: Slowing Down

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:02:57 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Feast of Christ - Liminal Space

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:02:30 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Words Matter

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 02:28:49 GMT

Dr. Ramon Presson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Song of Hope & Action

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:03:55 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | All Saints' Sunday - The Unity of All Things

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:19:43 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Mercy for All

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:38:39 GMT

Rev. Deacon Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Creation Communion = Creator Communion

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:53:00 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Courage To Be Free

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:35:56 GMT

Rev. Deacon Monica Coakley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Into the Great Wide Open

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 00:43:07 GMT

Rev. Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | We Are Not Gatekeepers

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:33:26 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | If You Want to See God, Look to the Child

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:36:08 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Who Do We Say He Is?

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 14:58:08 GMT

James 3:1-12 & Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Lectio Divina of Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:08:17 GMT

Rev. Dcn Colin Fagan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | To Live In This Body

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 12:37:08 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Deeper Well

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:27:57 GMT

Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Out of Many, One

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 22:34:46 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Sacrament of Love

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 22:33:47 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Jesus Is Still Happening To Us

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:41:16 GMT

Rev. Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Jesus, The Lane Changer

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 20:50:16 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Jesus, The Seer & Healer

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:37:11 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | In the Peace & Chaos

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 13:31:03 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Holy With-ness

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 14:22:07 GMT

Bekah Pogue, MMFT, SD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | What Are Our kings

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 19:47:45 GMT

Mark Nesbitt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Ordinary Sabbath

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:01:47 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Pentecost Love

Mon, 20 May 2024 12:48:27 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Like A Tree Planted By A Stream

Mon, 13 May 2024 13:29:23 GMT

Bekah Pogue, MMFT, SD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | To Live Within

Mon, 06 May 2024 13:14:17 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Abide, Love, BE

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 12:51:39 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Good Shepherd

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 23:29:46 GMT

Mark Nesbitt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Human Witness

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 19:41:38 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Everyone Counts or Nobody Counts

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:18:11 GMT

Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Resurrection Means

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:15:36 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Fear, & Peace, & Hosanna

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:13:17 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | St. Patrick & the Feast of Belonging

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 23:41:13 GMT

Dr. Dan Wilt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Weakness of God

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:55:22 GMT

This episode quality is well below standard. Fr. Heath's message is an important one and so we're posting regardless of the recording dynamic and frequency (RF) disturbance. We hope to resolve the recording issues by next week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Detangling For the Sake of the World

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:14:39 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Beginning a Slow & Holy Lent

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:48:24 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Shining Like the Sun

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 13:04:05 GMT

Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | True Knowing

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:34:19 GMT

Bekah Pogue, SD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | For the Love of Parish Life

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:07:50 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin & Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Peace

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 22:48:02 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Epiphany Sunday & Beauty

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 18:33:46 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Thin Places - Christmas Eve

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 17:12:41 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Ways To "Shrink" Parish Life in 2024

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:25:27 GMT

Intentional Community Announcements

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Joy

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:21:20 GMT

Mark Nesbitt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Advent, Hiddenness, & Invitation

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 18:07:49 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Who Is Our Least of These?

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:03:36 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Time & Talent

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 02:50:44 GMT

Mark Nesbitt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Transfiguration of All Things

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:35:34 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | All Saints' 2023

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:47:37 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Love Is Relationship

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:36:01 GMT

Bekah Pogue, SD

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Love Is the Answer... Especially When It's Hard

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 01:07:28 GMT

Fr. Heath McClure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Quiet Mind & Hopeful Heart

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 12:42:49 GMT

Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Imagine With Me

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 19:01:20 GMT

Rev. Dr. David O. Taylor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Let the Same Mind Be In You

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 12:01:49 GMT

Dr. Dan Wilt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Envy < Generous

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:40:08 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Forgiveness

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:13:14 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Life Precepts that Mirror Inherent Value

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 12:49:02 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Hospitable Love

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 18:23:30 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Jesus Will Build His Church

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:15:50 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Enough

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:43:45 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Mission Impossible

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 22:04:09 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Loaves & Fishes

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 20:14:12 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Courage of Restraint

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 23:15:22 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Generous Sower

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:16:23 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Come to Me: An Invitation to Wholeness

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:27:49 GMT

Dr. Dan Wilt on 7/9/23 at Luminous Parish, Franklin, TN

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Humility & Proximity

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 21:18:12 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | When Peace Divides

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:52:50 GMT

Fr. Heath McClure on 6/25/23 at Luminous Parish, Franklin, TN

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Growing Endurance

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:12:15 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Invitation to Withness

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 18:00:03 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Holy Withness

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 18:00:05 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Pentecost

Sun, 28 May 2023 19:33:44 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Ascension

Sun, 21 May 2023 19:41:28 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Bp. Dan Scott - Our Mars Hill

Mon, 15 May 2023 14:22:23 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Way & Place

Sun, 07 May 2023 20:45:48 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Good Shepherd

Mon, 01 May 2023 13:09:15 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Philoxenia

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 19:18:17 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Reason for Resurrection Season

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:04:05 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Easter Begins in the Dark

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 12:55:53 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Save Us From Ourselves (Palm Sunday)

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:50:13 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast - Jesus Wept | Honoring Grief & Hope

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 00:52:58 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Living Water & Humanity

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 21:12:15 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Attunement & Wilderness

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 21:40:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 02:46:13 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Transfiguration

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 23:42:19 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | What is Lent?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:10:13 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Beatitudes PT2

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 22:33:17 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Beatitudes PT1

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 19:15:48 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Come and See

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 20:38:40 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | A Rule of Life & Lectio Divina

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:23:57 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Christmas Eve 2022

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 18:15:54 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Third Sunday of Advent

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 12:44:40 GMT

Waiting Joy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | Advent Hope

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:49:42 GMT

First Sunday of Advent

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Feast of Christ (the King)

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 22:01:33 GMT

Luke 23:33-43 (NRSV)

33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved

Selah

others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Here in Luke, we see Jesus presenting an example of how beautiful the Good News really is. His two "phrases" from the cross in Luke reveal the contrast of being spiritually asleep and being awake. The first (Luke 23:34) "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing!" The second (Luke 23:43) "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Implying mercy on an already sentenced thief... as if to say, “you are guilty and are paying for your crime, AND with your belief you will be with me on the other side of all this.” While one thief says, “are you not the Messiah, help yourself and us...”

“We have been given God in our souls and Christ in our flesh. We have the power to believe where others deny, to hope where others despair, to love where others hurt.” -Brennan Manning

1. To be asleep: mocking, cynical, disbelief, certainty.

2. To be awake: humbled, desperate, belief, curious.

Curiosity overcomes fear even more than courage does.

Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings.

—Jesus posed 307 questions.

—Jesus was asked 183 questions.

—Jesus only answered around 8 of those questions... and in a classic Jesus way.

He seemed to be about a faith that explores questions with curiosity rather than defending answers.

Let these words from Brennan Manning resonate: “Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will all be part of our journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.” -Brennan Manning

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | All Saints

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:46:30 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Podcast | The Story of Zacchaeus

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 16:28:45 GMT

Ordinary Time (Proper 26)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Empathy

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:43:05 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Beauty

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 21:53:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Tranformation Is Possible

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 15:06:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Epiphany Reflection

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 14:14:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | The Light

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 21:31:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Light Has Come

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 14:53:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | The Great Reversal Of The Magnificat

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:17:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Feast of Christ the King

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 21:30:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | The Liturgical Year

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 16:15:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Listen To The Poor

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 21:51:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | All Saints 2021

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:21:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Psalm 104

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 13:48:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | St. Francis 2021

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:16:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | James 5

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 13:19:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | James 3

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:21:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | James 2

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 00:44:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Bread Of Life

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:07:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Germination

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 16:31:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Abide

Mon, 10 May 2021 11:50:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | The Good Shepherd

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 11:45:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Luminous Vision

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 12:03:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Practicing Resurrection

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 11:42:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Good Friday

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 16:12:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Hosanna

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 02:33:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | God Light

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 14:57:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | First Sunday of Lent

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:20:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast - Transfiguration

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 14:35:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Psalm 111

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:41:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Witness & Withness

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 13:11:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | The Light

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 15:54:00 GMT

Second Sunday of Christmastide - The Light | The Reverend Chad E. JarnaginJohn 1:1-9 (NRSV)1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.The gospel of John today has beautiful imagery. I’ve found it to be a centering passage for the beginning of a new year. John, the writer was said to have written this book around AD 85. That is quite a few decades after his time with Jesus as one of the Twelve disciples. It is worth noting how the apostle John makes sure that we know John the Baptist isn’t this light… much like other passages. Back then, some were saying that John the Baptist was the Christ… The apostle John obviously knew that, and made note of it often.If Jesus is the Word made flesh, God with us, this text frames a more thorough picture. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.While in the mountains years ago, me and some friends stayed in an amazing, yet creepy cabin. You couldn’t see our cars from the cabin… you had to take a bit of a walk. I had forgotten my toothbrush and contacts solution back in my car… this was before the iPhone. I didn’t have a light… so I stumbled my way to the car and back. There was no moon light or anything to guide me. I hit a broken tree and fell… I recall saying a choice word and thinking, why didn’t have bring a flashlight?Isn’t that an illustration for life? Unfortunately, I think we forget that we can be light, b/c we have the Light of Christ. John’s words testify to the world that Christ, the Word and the Light of God was coming… and that through Christ, all things were made. This is certainly a help for deepening our theology, our understanding process of God. We even begin to see a shape of the trinity. All connected. One being all… all being One. For Jesus to be referred to as light is no accident. Throughout history and many other religious beliefs, light has represented something otherly, good, holy, and divine. The battle of light and dark is even present is concepts and stories like Star Wars. In Matthew 5, with the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus the crowd, that they are the light of the world… a city on a hill cannot be hidden. In John 8:12, Jesus says “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”Another timely reminder, that we are not alone. God is with us. God is not that angry father who we walk on egg shells around… holding our breath hoping to not get out of line. We see a completely different picture with the person of Jesus. Open, loving, nuanced, even.Much like a wifi signal if you will… To be light, we have to be around the source of light… living with clear, intention signal.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Reorientation

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:40:00 GMT

Christmastide | ReorientationThe Reverend Chad E. JarnaginPsalm 1481 Praise the Lord!Praise the Lord from the heavens;praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels;praise him, all his host!3 Praise him, sun and moon;praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens,and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever;he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth,you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and frost,stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9 Mountains and all hills,fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;his glory is above earth and heaven.14 He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,for the people of Israel who are close to him.Praise the Lord!Encountering Psalm 148 through the ancient method of lectio divina bring insight and perspective.1. the potential for harmonious co-existence of all things.2. the significance of God’s voice... through creation, other people, theSpirit.3. worrying about so many things... takes away from the praising of God. As I read through the Psalm I noticed the number of times I said, “Praise!” After three readings, it was nearly 39 times. “Praise him!” “Praise the Lord!” “Praise the name of the Lord!” Since the practice of lectio divina encourages participants not to judge what comes to mind, The repetition in fast succession of “Praise” in the Psalm was a reminder of the abundance of reasons to praise the Lord that arise in any given day.This Psalm is an invitation to praise and not necessarily a description of the way things currently are. While reading it aloud or singing it, we are joining the heights, the moon, the sea monsters, and the cedars in praising the One who spoke us into being.Walter Brueggemann’s work on Psalm genres can help us here. He suggested three “functions” of the Psalms: orientation, disorientation, and reorientation.At first glance, Psalm 148 appears to be a Psalm of orientation given the apparent “lack of tension,” “coherence of life,” “good order,” “celebration of the status quo,” and the “assurance that [all is] well grounded” and will continue in this way. Yes, the content suggests everything is aligned, or, everything is in harmonious co-existence. The heavens and the earth are aligned with one another, the elements in the heavens and the earth are aligned with one another (people, animals, landscapes, heavenly beings, solar system), and, very importantly, the heavens and the earth are aligned with their creator.This Psalm might be better understood as a Psalm of reorientation. Psalm 148 does not simply describe the way things are, but proclaims there has been a turn events that is a welcome reversal. While there are definite resonances with the language in Genesis, this is not simply going back to those edenic good ol’ days. Instead, Psalm 148 is a “new song sung at the appearance of a new reality, new creation, new harmony, new reliability.”When we join in singing this psalm, we participate in bringing forth the new world; a new world we thought was not possible, one where all of heaven and earth not only notices, but joins in praising the Lord who is above heaven and earth. May it be so!The arrival of Jesus reminds us that God is faithful to redeem our past and to guide our future.“For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice.And to make an end is to make a beginning."― T.S. Eliot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Fear Not

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 02:49:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Psalm 126

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 00:41:00 GMT

Third Sunday of Advent: Psalm 126 | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginPsalm 126 A Song of Ascents.1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,we were like those who dream.2 *Then our mouth was filled with laughter,and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations,“The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us,and we rejoiced.4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,like the watercourses in the Negeb (or Negev). 5 May those who sow in tearsreap with shouts of joy.6 Those who go out weeping,bearing the seed for sowing,shall come home with shouts of joy,carrying their sheaves.On the day that we light the candle of Joy, this is an amazing Psalm. As it begins with an important framing...The phrase, “we were like those who dream,”... In terms of theological context, “those who dream” are prophets – those who receive visions from God (see Joel 2:28-29). The means of restoration is the re-opening of communication between God and people. In terms of the emotional context, “those who receive visions” often experience and express ecstatic joy, like David dancing before the Lord. The picture in the Psalm is a spontaneous and uncontainable joy: “our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.” This is beyond a mood, it is a deep sense of joy.The first portion of this Psalm contains a surprising testimony concerning God’s graciousness that is visible in more of the Old Testament than we normally give credit. The very nations (like Zion, here) witnessed the restoration of the people to their land and to their God... and they said, “The Lord has done great things...” Thinking ahead to the New Testament, we are reminded of the non-Israelite magi coming to worship the one who was born “King of the Jews,” or the Roman centurion who announced, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” Even more surprising, the nations’ testimony to God’s deeds inspires Israel to respond with its own testimony, repeating the words of the nations verbatim: “The Lord has done great things for us” (v. 3). There is a overwhelming sense of gratitude that is at the beginning of their joy. The second portion develops and rephrases them in the form of renewed appeals for restoration (this is similar to the structure of Psalm 85) - The people ask God to restore them, in hope to rejoice again.These images may reflect a prayer for rescue from drought, but they may also simply be metaphors for people in need of God’s renewal. Renewal of anything. Financial renewal, health, spiritual, mental renewal... relational renewal.Remember that the world waited 400 years for the coming of the Messiah after the prophecies. There is no limit to the waiting we may have to endure... but that waiting doesn’t have to limit our capacity of joy. Gratitude can be the beginning of joy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Christ The King

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:26:00 GMT

The Reign of Christ / Christ the KingFr. Chad E. JarnaginPsalm 1001 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness;come into his presence with singing. 3 Know that the Lord is God.It is he that made us, and we are his;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise.Give thanks to him, bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good;his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Today is the final Sunday in the year of the Church... the Reign of Christ / Christ the King. In today’s gospel, Jesus’ final teaching in this section of Matthew is an examen. His instruction is so important that he separates people “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matt. 25:32). Essentially, the separation depends on how people in need were treated.Though the Psalm today is short, it is instruction as well. Some think that this is a Psalm of David, others say it is Moses. It is an ancient text, 10th century B.C..Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. The earth is already making a joyful noise... the trees, the oceans... the way the wind blows... the birds, the sunset, and sunrise. Seeing God in all things and all things in God... the presence of God is everywhere... at all times. We are the ones who are not present. The deep spaces where we learn and gain a bigger perspective is when we can abide with God in the middle of difficulties, suffering, and pain. If God is God of the summits of life, God is the God of the valley of darkness.Verse 3 helps us to remember whose we are. We are God’s... made in our Maker’s image. The sheep of God’s pasture... there is another connection to the gospel today.Verse 4 and 5... 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks, bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good (this isn’t just good as we know it... it means holy as well); his steadfast love endures forever, and faithfulness to all generations. We give thanks FOR the Lord is good (again, good in the light times and heavy times)... faithful to all generations. God through time and space... past, present, and future.If we trace the meaning of Good, it leads us to Good News... an understanding of a reality that is beyond good as we know it. Holy news... the news that Jesus is found in the darkest days, deepest pain, and even confusion... this is where we find and connect with Christ more than anywhere... and if the Lord is good... and God’s love endures forever, through time and space, we then come to realize that the reality of Jesus is because of this goodness.John 8: 52-58 The Jews said yet you say, ’Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ though you do not know him. But I know him; if I would say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”This is what the reign of Christ looks like: Remember this from Brennan Manning: Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of our journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.We are daughters and sons of our Beloved. Furthermore, our Beloved is ours. May our lives, hands, feet, and mouths go and tell somebody. Thanks be to God.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | The Liturgical Year

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:22:00 GMT

The Liturgical Year with Fr. Chad E. JarnaginHow to start a new year rhythmLiturgical times raises our sights above the dailiness of life to the essence of life. — ChittisterOur habits are formative and that repetition is formative. When we practice healthy rhythms and practices, this holistic approach to living enables thriving sustainable spiritual growth. Sometimes we need to add to rhythms, and sometimes it means removal.The Liturgical Year helps to know when to take deep breaths along the way... like regulating our breathing, the Liturgical Year helps to slow our breath into a mindful pace.We are immersed in rhythms. Repeated and regulated patterns, consistent tempo metering out our existence. They aren't just around us – they are within us. Our hearts beat and our lungs breathe. Our veins expand and contract as life flows through them. It is even by rhythms that we mark time. Hours, days, years, are all lived in the ebb and flow of work, sleep, and meals. All are rhythms – within and without. We are created to be rhythmic beings.Think of the Liturgical Year as circular instead of linear if that is helpful... like we go around the sun. The Liturgical Year is also about the great cloud of witnesses who have lived life before us.Throughout Scripture, God provides us with rhythms to order our lives. In the Old Testament, we see that God gave the people of Israel Sabbaths and feasts to help them remember God’s work as Creator and Savior. In the Gospels we read that, on the night before Jesus died, he instituted the Sacrament of Communion. When we receive the bread and wine, we remember his suffering and death. Over the past 2,000 years, the Church has instituted feasts, holy days and seasons in order that we might orient our lives around the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. All these patterns and practices are given as means of grace by which we are reminded who God is and who he's called us to be.It is possible that there is no formation without repetition. That is to say that over time, our rhythms and practices help us to find healthy ways to live holistic spiritual lives as disciples of Christ. It is what we do routinely, not what we do rarely, that delineates our character. (Chittister).Lectionary Calendar & Daily OfficeYearly pattern of the seasons of the Church. Each season intentionally guides us through the importance of the first Advent of Christ all the way through an season of growth, blessing, and sending called Ordinary Time (or Season After Pentecost).The Daily Office is the Scripture reading / prayer guide on a three year cycle (Year A, B, & C). This culminates each Sunday as we worship together. Each season and holy day has a specific color so to assist us with its identity and intention. Weekly WorshipWe gather on Sundays to celebrate, lament, and commune with God and one another within these sacred rhythms of the Lectionary and Daily Office.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast - Jesus In The Psalms

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 12:57:00 GMT

The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginPsalm 78:1-71 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable;I will utter dark sayings from of old,3 things that we have heard and known,that our ancestors have told us.4 We will not hide them from their children;we will tell to the coming generationthe glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,and the wonders that he has done. 5 He established a decree in Jacob,and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestorsto teach to their children;6 that the next generation might know them,the children yet unborn,and rise up and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God,but keep his commandments;When we look at the Psalms, we are engaging in a text that is before Christ... this is 10th century B.C. This one is an instruction of Asaph... a parable setting about ancient praise to the Creator of all things.This praise is to God, past, present, and future. For all God has done, is doing, and will do. The future tense even hints at the goodness and hope of the gospel. The prophesy of the Christ coming for all humankind.I will open my mouth in a parable;I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us.This is what we are doing right now... and do every Sunday. We know we have a temptation to disconnect from our past, especially when it doesn’t hint of hope and beauty... We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.We share it with our children so they can hear and know of the realities of our faith... and at some point, they will decide what they do with it.Verse 5: He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel,which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children;He made it a law of the land that these testimonies should be preserved and faithfully transmitted to future times. See Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 6:7; Deuteronomy 11:19. They were not given for themselves only, but for the benefit of distant generations also.Verse 7: says that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God... but keep his commandments.You only keep commandments out of trust, belief, and connection... really. Just to keep them out of fear (not even holy fear, just fear)... that doesn’t work over time. But, to set hope in God remembering God’s work... activity... through connection / communion is an entirely deeper way of living.This passage is a continuing thought of All Saints’ Day. Ancestors / believers through time and space giving endless praise to God... past, present, future.In their song “Walk On”, U2’s lyric mentions "a place that has to be believed to be seen...” this can apply to Jesus as well...we view a Psalm like this... Jesus forms the lens in which we can see deeper in this text. It brings to light things that are unseen...Jesus is the greatest of the wonders of God. We can see through time and space. The hope and Great Light of the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Everything Else

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 13:22:00 GMT

The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginEverything Else (is God’s)The gospel reading today says ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s’... but perhaps the hinge of this passage is understated... “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Maybe Jesus is saying, everything else is God’s? This is a portion of what we mean when we say God in all things... and all things in God.The term Jesus is Lord, was and is a political statement. In the context of Matthew, it was meant to say, Caesar wasn’t their Lord, but governor... Christians during this time were violently persecuted. They didn’t simply have inconveniences as a people... they had to navigate true persecution.Eventually, when the leaders of the Jews shouted ‘We have no King but Caesar!’, they reveal a radical division in their own minds between the hopes they place in God and their recourse to political power. In response, Caesar (in the person of Pilate) orders a sign to be put above the dying Jesus. It reads ‘King of the Jews’. The imperial power of Caesar ruled the ancient world. It counts for nothing now. At the time of his execution Jesus was virtually unknown. Yet the Resurrection revealed him to be the Incarnation of God. As the real Christ, long awaited by Israel, he counts for everything now.Against this background, the instruction, ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s’ warns us about getting our priorities wrong... or misplaced. Even sincere Christians with the best of intentions, it seems, can be drawn to its false allure... and it is fleeting...Psalm 991 The Lord is king; let the peoples tremble!He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! 2 The Lord is great in Zion;he is exalted over all the peoples.3 Let them praise your great and awesome name.Holy is he!Be reminded where our hope is: Do not misplace hope, influence, and power.5 Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!Be reminded that you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God first and foremost.7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees,and the statutes that he gave them.8 O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.9 Extol the Lord our God,and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy.Anything less than the Creator is simply less... smaller. God grant us the perspective of all things you have created, and we among them. We are yours and you are holy. AMEN.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luminous Space Podcast | Feast Of Peace

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 13:02:00 GMT

Feast of Peace | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 22:1-1422 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants[a] to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants,‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”We all follow patterns. Patterns for getting up & going to bed. Traffic patterns... flight patterns... Social patterns... receiving an invitation and then going to an event. Even the Church follows patterns. We are a community of fasting and feasting. In the gospels, we see the patterns of provision for our souls.In parables, Jesus means them to create awareness of a bigger picture so that everyone can understand... Here, this King had a banquet thrown for his son, when he invited the first group of people, they were probably highly esteemed, popular within this community... but they declined the invitation. Then when the King asked for his troops to go invite anyone to the banquet, many turned up. They had a unique chance to go to a feast, a celebration party. Perhaps by fear... or maybe for the invitation itself.They knew who it was for and they dressed up. Basically, they understood what needed to happen in order to go to this wedding banquet; except for this one guy. We don’t know his story but we know he accepted the invitation. He knew he would be fed and would probably have a great time... but was unprepared.This parable seems to be revealing the first group of people to be indifferent or apathetic to the invitation... or maybe they didn’t respect the king and family? Regardless, apathy leaves us on the outside of opportunity... and indifference can leave us lifeless when beauty and adventure are to be experienced.God loves us for who we are, wherever we are. However unprepared we are. When we live devoted lives where God’s goodness is reflected, that is not simply consuming the things of God... A sacramental way of life. God in all things and all things in God.Just as we can have a peace that passes all understanding, God wants us to share 'joys that pass our understanding'. This is good / great news.Indifference, willfulness, and carelessness have a unique power on us to misplace our joy... our peace. May we be mindful and aware of the opportunities around us to engage in the otherness of life. Maybe saying yes to a simple feast leads to something bigger... or an awareness that life is a feast itself.My parting thought: Prayer as resistance. Pray and release apathy and indifference... open to patterns of joy and opportunity. Perhaps pray for a heightened awareness of good news around us... sharing the feast of peace with everyone we meet.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Belief ＞ Judgment

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:51:00 GMT

Belief > Judgment | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 21:23-32 (NRSV)23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.28 “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.Pharisaism isn’t a term we use very often, but it is a thing. It means to make a value judgment on someone else based on one’s own assumed “secure” position.We are constantly doing this today. We signal our virtues and values... we judge one another doing the signaling... and in doing so signal our own... it is just exhausting. Here in this text of Matthew, Jesus is being judged again by religious leaders - This time on who’s authority he speaks, who’s authority is he doing these miracles... he’s making the religious leaders incredibly uneasy... and in return, beginning to make the empire uneasy. He is speaking implications of revolution... which could prompt a revolt against the leadership.Jesus eventually gets to the point of saying: “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.Jesus isn’t judging their value... he is however, stating that the belief of these prostitutes and tax collectors was enough to include them into his Kingdom... ahead of these religious leaders of the day.The hinge here is belief. Judgement and belief. Two different ways of living.To have bold position on the Way of Jesus is to have humility... and in that humility, have belief and awareness that our value is solely in Christ alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Luminous Space Podcast | Who Do You Say I Am?

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:10:00 GMT

The Rev. Chad E. Jarnagin | Who Do You Say I Am?Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.This portion of the Gospel was Matthew was written shortly after a failed Jewish revolt against Rome, in the wake of the destruction of the Temple and devastation of Jerusalem. This is the context in which the meaning of Jesus as Messiah was being worked out.These people weren’t all that different from us today. We’re in an identity crisis… trying desperately to figure out who to believe , how to believe. Like many from this text, we’re looking in the wrong places, looking to the wrong people for our identity. Jesus asks “who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Jesus eventually asks, “who do you say I am?” He’s saying, yeah… I’ve heard who everyone else says… what do you believe?A few weeks back in the lectionary, when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, and Peter said, “if it is you, Lord, call to me… and Jesus said, ‘come’… after sinking, Jesus helps him back in the boat and Peter says “surely you are the Son of God”. Peter confesses “You are the Christ”. It is in our process & experience, where we sometimes have less & less faith only to find more and more faith. When we confess “You are the Christ!”, putting life back to order - asking for true shalom (everything in its place flourishing as God intends). Regardless of who the world tries to say that Jesus (or God) is, by confessing each week, we are confessing like Peter, “You are the Son of God”… our communion raises our awareness of who Christ is. The less familiar we are, the more distorted our view of Jesus. No wonder why most culture doesn’t know who Jesus is… We must remember that Christianity is not American. Our identity is in who we believe Jesus to be… and embody that Way.The subversiveness of the Kingdom, again with “20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” In the tension of the day, Christ didn’t want this heat, yet. It wasn’t time… Today, who do we say he is? Whatever that is for us, it isn’t a hijacked narrative. When all seems lost, hidden, confused, or chaotic… Maybe we start with “God with us.” Abiding in this will lead us to our answer of “who we say he is”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breaking Of The Bread

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:20:00 GMT

Breaking of Bread | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 24:13-35 (ESV)On the Road to Emmaus13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.They do not recognize Jesus straight away… but it wasn’t b/c he was wearing a mask or cloak… they walk with him along the road for quite some time, assuming he is just another traveler. Their moment of recognition only comes when they suddenly see the way he breaks the bread for their meal. We may be like the disciples on the road to Emmaus who don't recognize Jesus... until he breaks the bread at the meal.Did our hearts not burn when he was speaking with us? But, then KNEW when he broke the bread - then, they could see him. At the Eucharist, this celebration of Thanksgiving… this embodiment of communion is no accident or a simple religious act of historical relevance… it’s because he is known in the breaking of the bread. The Road to Emmaus alerts us to the possibility that the presence of Christ in the world can also be experienced in ordinary life… even in isolation - suddenly, and surprisingly, as He is revealed to us and events of the everyday - a meal. Often this will be in unexpected places, or even, as Mother Theresa memorably said, in ‘his most distressing disguise’. 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peace Be With You

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 15:46:00 GMT

Peace Be With You | Rev. Chad E. JarnaginJohn 20:19-31 (NRSV)Jesus Appears to the Disciples19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”Jesus and Thomas24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”The Purpose of This Book30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.Easter Sunday was last Sunday, but Easter isn’t over, it has just begun. Eastertide or the Great 50 Days of Easter goes until Pentecost. We’ll follow the gospels during this time together. It is always interesting to walk through this time looking at the disciples and how they responded to the resurrection of Jesus. For obvious reasons, it was unlike anything any of them had ever experiencedTrauma changes us… for worse at first… but over time, as we begin to heal and reframe, restore, and reshape our new realities, we will realize that the trauma that was once painful and horrifying… slowly begins to reveal something new, something good, beautiful, and healthy. Along the process is disbelief… hurt, doubt… maybe dread… anxiety. But eventually, our root system begins to work again… life begins to flow and even flourish once more. What are Jesus’ first words to them, as usual? “Peace be with you”… as if to say, guys, settle down, this is really happening… don’t run, don’t freak out… it is me… again, “peace be with you”… It’s interesting to think of our human condition in the light of this passage… in the light of our own realities. We can’t just push through our trauma… we have to patiently and intentionally navigate it. To begin to heal, we must receive the peace being offered to us… as Christ offered his friends when he magically appeared to them for the first time after his burial. “The resurrection is not an alien power breaking into God’s world,” but that it reveals a deeper reality that has always been there, a spiritual reality. We do not see it because we are totally consumed by seeing with our nearsighted eyes and the eye of the mind… instead of with a spirit-sightedness. We need to open up in ourselves and in one another the eye of the soul. “We fix our eyes not on what is seen,” writes St. Paul, “but on what is unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:18).  NT Wright said something like, “the message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and… we are invited to belong.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Easter Sunday 2020 | What is the Invitation?

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 17:17:00 GMT

Easter 2020 From Harlinsdale Farms, Franklin, TN | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)The Resurrection of Jesus28 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,[b] and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”Resurrection: The act of rising from the dead.These unprecedented days bring us many questions. We are all in the middle of new realities. Everything is new. New ways of dinning, shopping, worshiping, living… new ways of worry, new uncertainties… income and job loss… life lost. Today, we’re supposed to unearth our alleluias that were buried as we began Lent... and when we finally find our alleluias again, we will probably never be the same.Early on in the outbreak, I mentioned: This is our life. These are the terms. Now, what is the invitation? These invitations have certainly looked different for everyone.Deep joy and beauty comes after deep pain and death. Joy eventually returns after mourning… The realities of resurrection joy & celebration of Easter exists because of Christ’s life, death, and rising. We’ll all find ourselves in these cycles and rhythms. As much pain, tension, and hurt we see in the world, there are moments of resurrection to be found when humans, sons and daughters show life, light, and love. This is what practicing resurrection looks like. The resurrection of Christ reveals that death, darkness, pandemics, isolation will not have the final say. The Light from the beginning of time is still traveling and expanding the universe. Somewhere, Darkness is seeing light for the very first time.Our Creator has written the promise of the resurrection in every leaf and bloom of springtime. May our invitation be one to rest and heal. An invitation to listen where nothing but noise is found. An invitation to be hope, light, and life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holy Week | Good Friday

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 02:34:00 GMT

Good Friday | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginGood Friday may seem counterintuitive since the day is a solemn one, observed with our fasting and somber reflections. Why is Good Friday called Good Friday? Good used to mean holy. Today, is Holy Friday. These days, we need some holiness to come near to us. So, let’s lean in… into Good Friday.Psalm 22 is the Psalm for today. It begins with My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It goes on to say, why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and my night, but I find no rest… yet, you are holy…We can find ourselves joining with the sufferings of Jesus during these days. Though none of us are on a cross, humanity is bearing a collective cross on this coronavirus… and if we listen, we can sense groaning… humanity’s cry… and yet… you are holy. There is an invitation of perspective to be had. At the beginning of human creation humans were not meant for death. This may be why death, tragedy, and pandemics are so traumatic, confusing, & unbearable for the human race.Suffering is a focal point which reveals the dimensions of where our humanity still attempts to reject this decay… until we are eventually overcome with it. His love & blood flowed mingled down from the cross that day - Seeing death in a new way, his followers scattered and fled.The invitation of Good Friday: to be reminded that there is perspective to be embraced. It is about us entering the difference between God and humanity… and touching it for a moment. - It’s like touching the sadness of humanity's insistence that we are in control, and have no need of help.Good Friday is a blend of faint Hosannas (a plea to be saved), suffering and pain… and humanity waiting in the tension… for it is finished… and we wait with the hope of unearthing our alleluias. A curiously empty day,As if the world's lifeHad gone underground.The April sunWarming the dry grassMakes pale spring promisesBut nothing comes to pass.AngerRelaxes into despairAs we remember our helplessness,Remember him hanging there.We have purchased the spicesBut they must wait for tomorrow.We shall keep todayFor emptiness and sorrow. -Elizabeth Rooney (1924-99)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holy Week | Palm Sunday

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:42:00 GMT

Holy Week | Palm Sunday - Fr. Chad E. JarnaginMay the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) Today is the last Sunday of no “alleluias”… There’s a difference between Hosanna and Alleluia. Hallelujah is Hebrew (literally meaning praise Yahweh). Alleluia is Latin, derived from the Greek - Where Hosanna is an explanation used as “a plea to save us”… Saved in greek means “to be made well… given peace… rescued… restored.”Before we find or resurrect our Hallelujah again next Sunday, today, we say, Hosanna (our plea to be saved)… (where?) in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (blessed are they who come to be restored), Hosanna in the highest…Palm Sunday begins with triumph and praise, but it is short lived. The readings reflect the rising tension that surrounds Jesus. It culminates in the events that follow - his betrayal, trial and death.What began as cries to be saved soon turns to burying alleluias. What better outcome for those who see Jesus as a radical traitor to their faith, and a threat to their political security, that he should be killed in the brutal way reserved for the worst of criminals?The story doesn't end here… nor does it end there… this is not the end.Many of us may feel like this is the end: the end of the work, the end of our lifestyle… for many of us will never be the same.Psalm 31: 14But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. This is not the end.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LENT: Fifth Sunday

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 17:39:00 GMT

Psalm 130Waiting for Divine Redemption1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.2 Lord, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.7 O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.The Gospel today is John 11:1-45 (NRSV) - In the story of Lazarus, John 11:21- Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”What a story of the Divine and humanity converging… with Jesus weeping… why did he weep? Was it for the death of Lazarus, the sorrow that his family was experiencing or was it that at a point before, they doubted that Jesus could or would raise Lazarus? The disbelief that Jesus could raise him up may have moved him to tears… and if that is true, this is to say that Christ’s concern for our humanity is deep. Christ is the way God connects and communes with humanity. Jesus is God in our human context. The Word made flesh. God with us. Christ understands and empathizes with humanity during pandemics, famines, wars, and past, present, and future disease.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LENT: Psalm 23 & An Invitation

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 15:30:00 GMT

Fourth Sunday of Lent | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginPsalm 23 (NRSV) The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.In this portion of John 9:1-41 (the Gospel today), Jesus is revealing the works of God. Christ continues to be revealed as the light of the world. He is seen as he truly is… today, we need to see Jesus as he truly is, not as we make him out to be. Here’s where I think we have the biggest problem with Jesus - because light exposes everything. This light shows us what is happening in the world and what is happening in ourselves… but there is Good News in this revelation… The Greek for this is meta·noia (a transformative change of heart).Since the outbreak realities over the past week, I have been guiding us through the idea of “this is our life, these are the terms, now, what is the invitation?” That may be different for each of us during this time… but collectively, it may be “who are we when it is all stripped away?” Our refusal of the invitation would be such a waist of our attention and opportunity. Sometimes the spiritually blind refuse to be healed. Sometimes we refuse to see what is right if front of us, even if we have always had our sight. The truth of our conditions are sometimes difficult to face, but to refuse spiritual healing is refuse the gospel… to refuse hope. For those who want to receive the invitation is to receive the Good News… of hope and peace in Christ… especially during uncertain times like these.*Music by The Brilliance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LENT: Psalm 121 - Our Help

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:39:00 GMT

LENT | Our Help - Fr. Chad E. JarnaginPsalm 121 (NRSV)1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.4 He who keeps Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep.5 The Lord is your keeper;the Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day,nor the moon by night.7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keepyour going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.Psalm 121 is poetic assurance of God’s presence and activity. Many of us resonate with books of poetry in Scripture because of the rhythm and cadence they have. We have to think that they writers wrote them intentionally.  This psalm is a process of change. It gives us an effect of God’s presence - Maybe these kinds of psalms can help us with our perspective... which is a changed way of seeing or observation.“We would rather be ruined than changed. We would rather die in our dread than climb the cross of the present and let our illusions die.” W.H. Auden (Apropos of Many Things)Illusions are that which we have fabricated or constructed to give us a sense of safety, worth, or even identity.There is an ultimate place to look for help. Sometime we look to “alternatives”. But this psalmist tells us to seek help from Yahweh. May this be a reminder that changing our perspective sometimes requires us to actually change.When David looked at those hills, he saw something more. For as many as ten or fifteen years, David had hidden in those very hills, from a brutal king who was trying to kill him. So, in those hills, he saw protection. He saw deliverance. David knew the presence of God in those hills. When he became king, he wanted to remember that even in the darkest places, God was still there... fulfilling the promise He had given him when he was a young, even when it seemed impossible.I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LENT: Remember Who You Are

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 16:19:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recognition and Returning

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:28:00 GMT

Recognition & Returning | Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people who sat in darknesshave seen a great light,and for those who sat in the region and shadow of deathlight has dawned.”17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”Jesus Calls the First Disciples18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.In the Gospel today, a new phase seems to be opening up. John the Baptist is removed from the scene, and Jesus’ public ministry begins. John’s work was one of preparation. It seems that the message of John the Baptist is a continuation of the call of the prophets to “turn” (or “return”) to God. The message of repentance is always difficult to hear until it is embraces as a rhythmic practice. Confession (recognition) and repentance (turning or returning) always precedes hope. There is no healthy way forward without “turning” or returning... There is no discipleship... there is no true or sustaining peace. Many of us struggle with finding purpose in life... because we settle for a lesser or easier way... without going to deeper places. Places of pain... struggle... or difficult inner work. We try to go without preparation.As Jesus begins calling his first disciples, they drop everything and follow him. And, the way Matthew tells the story is striking. We are given no preparation for this... but something should tell us that their lives up to that point led them to be ready for a new purpose...The call to repentance prepares the way. Ideally, we leave past trespasses, hurts, and sins behind for a new way forward. In this way, we see Jesus as an in-breaking of God’s Kingdom, peace and justice. All preparation led and leads to newness, renewal.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advent | Waiting with Doubt

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 01:16:00 GMT

Advent | Waiting with Doubt | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 11:2-11 (NRSV)2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.Over the years we have been reconditioned to be less and less patient. Waiting is a lost art. Today, we want to push a button and instantly get resolve... Think about how instantaneous our expectations are. We just want the end results... we don’t want the waiting. Many things can happen in the waiting. Mostly, we create false narratives in place of what may happen... we can also get distracted and forget what we are waiting for. John the Baptist even begins to doubt during his time in prison.The argument can be made that over the past few generations, we have sanitized Advent... what was created for waiting, we have removed entirely... There were 400 years of waiting after Malachi prophesied about forthcoming justice in the arrival of the Messiah. Frankly, there are no easy answers as to why God makes humanity wait for what is good or just. No wonder doubt and discontent have their way with most of us in long seasons of waiting.In our waiting... longing, we can either resist or embrace the waiting... and there can be strength found in stillness.Deep joy comes from deep living. Happiness isn’t the same as joy. Happiness tends to usually be dictated by circumstances... but joy can be embodied regardless. The idea that joys comes in the morning is because there was mourning the night before.I think it makes perfect sense that John the Baptist is doubting - it must have been natural to wonder why Jesus would leave him behind. This is actually a common issue - understanding that Jesus is doing something amazing, but not feeling it in our own life... so doubts begin to creep in.Jesus ends his response to John by saying ‘Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.’ The words ‘take no offense’ can also be translated as ‘stumble’. It seems that Jesus is encouraging John in his doubts, not rebuking him. He is acknowledging that faith is not easy and that those who never doubt are truly unique.Instead of running away from his doubts, and deciding to lose faith in Jesus, John asks the question, and seeks an answer from the source - not just accepting what he hears from someone else. He doesn’t have much of a choice, so... John is actively seeking... waiting.In our moments of doubt, rather than pretending our doubts don’t exist, we can: adjust our expectations, ask the questions... in our waiting. There is opportunity for communion in the doubt and uncertainty.You are not alone in the waiting.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prepare Room | Advent

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 15:13:00 GMT

Prepare Room | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginMatt. 24:36-44The Day and Hour Unknown36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, [a] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark (judgement); 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.The word 'Advent' is from the Latin 'Adventus,' which means ‘coming / arrival.’ Advent is the beginning of a new Church year. It is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of the Word made flesh... Think of Advent beginning in the dark, sort of a reset of all the seasons... while each week, more light is revealed.The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s birth, they also challenge our modern reluctance to confront the big picture of who is really the center of the universe.This portion of Matthew has an apocalyptic orientation, believing that history is divided into two ages - a present age that God would replace with a new age (often called the realm of God or the realm of heaven). The old age is marked by the presence of brokenness, sin, injustice, sickness, politics. The new age will be characterized by the complete rule of God... in peace, tranquility, health, blessing between nature and humankind... as well as eternity.In the story of Noah, none were left, except those spared on the ark... with the narrative of Christ, mercy saves those who need it. For all our disbelief, confusion, distrust, hurt... all of our outrage fatigue... Christ comes to bring peace, here... now... not just later. As with the disciples early on, when Christ calms the storm on the water... Jesus can bring us presence & solace regardless of our current reality.So, how can we prepare room for what really matters?The spiritual life has much more to do with subtraction than it does with addition. -EckhartInstead of adding more “to dos”, perhaps we actively do less. The Gospel is about being awake. We spoke about this last week a bit. Meditate on a single word of prayer each week or day. Each Sunday’s focus of Hope, Peace, Joy, or Love is a place to begin to prepare room.I AM, may this Advent alarm us. Wake us from drowsy living. From the sleep that neglects love and the sedative of misdirected frenzy. Awaken us to the meaning and hope of your arrival, and bend our anger and discontent into your peace. Amen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Realities

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 18:44:00 GMT

New Realities | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 20:27-38 27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons[b] of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”Our faith and Christ’s teaching say that at the moment of death, life is changed, not ended. In Jesus’ strong affirmation of eternal life, it is clear that new realities will replace those of this life. In the new /next life, all anxieties are gone... all our prejudices are gone... all apprehensions, contempt... we all live in the light of new realities... and all together in the holy communion of the saints... transcending time and space. Interesting at how we looked at that last Sunday.The Sadducees' question seeks to make life after death out to be ridiculous. It rests on an assumption that life after death will simply be a repetition or extension of life - same conditions applying... with nothing changing. No new realities.Jesus finishes by saying: 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.The pivot here- “but that the dead are raised... they cannot die anymore.”Jesus' answer is that the resurrection is a new existence in which we participate in God's eternity. God told Moses that he was the God of his forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The message to the Sadducees is good news, whether they comprehend it, believe, or not...This is not the end. Actually, it is just the beginning... with those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.This can be difficult for us to grasp... and that is okay. It is almost like, we grasp this concept when and where we need to. Sometimes our reason and intelligence may be missing crucial humility to accept or hold truths that faith tends to uncover.Jesus is announcing that there is a line (or dimension) in the cosmos here: in believing in Christ’s resurrection, we believe in our own. Being equal to angels... means to be children of God... being children of the resurrection brings about living with the new reality ... which means eternal living.“The point of the resurrection...is that the present bodily life is not valueless because it will die...What you do with your body in the present matters because God has a great future in store for it... What you do in the present— by painting, preaching, singing, sewing, praying, teaching, building hospitals, digging wells, campaigning for justice, writing poems, caring for the needy, loving your neighbor as yourself—will last into God's future. These activities are not simply ways of making the present life a little less beastly, a little more bearable, until the day when we leave it behind altogether (as the hymn so mistakenly puts it...). They are part of what we may call building for God's kingdom.”All things work together for the new reality. -NT Wright

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All Saints’ Sunday | You Are Not Alone

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 14:29:00 GMT

Luke 6:20-31 (NRSV)Blessings and Woes20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor,for yours is the kingdom of God. 21“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24“But woe to you who are rich,for you have received your consolation.25“Woe to you who are full now,for you will be hungry.“Woe to you who are laughing now,for you will mourn and weep.26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Love for Enemies27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.All Saints’ Day is tied in with the belief in the Communion of Saints, that all of God's people because of our common communion with and through Christ, our prayers are joined with the heavenly eternal community.  Luke 6:20-31- On the Beatitudes. This is an interesting connection to the Feast of All Saints.Jesus’ is giving is disciples (and us) a way to live. In our context: there is the contrast of what society lives and then what Christ instructed here in Luke. It isn’t “Blessed are you who are rich, for yours is the kingdom of God.” nor “Blessed are you who are filled now, for you will never be hungry.” Though, if that is what we listen to or ever begin to believe... that is not the gospel. There is a reason the poor is blessed... and that the hungry will be fed.This is a charge to the Saints. Our work: for your kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. To bring heaven to earth... to leave this world better than we found it. We are not to be locusts or parasites. There is no legacy in use and abuse.In verse 27, he says to love your enemies. Again, a contrast to society... to the point of mentioning “from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic (chiton in Greek) either.” Meaning the clothing worn closest to the skin.In a time where isolation has becoming pervasive, we need to hear that we are not alone. For those who have been... are in a way, with us. And us, with them. Their work, their stories, their art... they are with us. The work we do today in our world, will be the kind of world we leave for our children, and their children. We will make it more and more difficult to do the work giving for us to do if we celebrate isolation... divide.  Ask yourself: Are we in a constant state of divide? Us vs them? A constant state of outrage? Living with constant contempt for anyone with a different vantage point? These are signs of unhealth. We are not remembered by our arms / weapons. We should ask: How am I armed? How can I disarm? How can I listen? How can I learn? These are signs of health. Leaving the world better than we found it means to embody this passage of Luke.One of the best remedies to combat isolated individualism is our gratitude, especially toward others. Someone helped to guide our paths & we stand on their shoulders. We aren’t where we are by accident or happenstance... & this is not the end. Thanks be to God."If I can give you any advice, I beg you to get closer to the Eucharist, to Jesus... We pray for the tenderness of the Eucharist.” -Mother Teresa

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trust, Not Trends

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 14:46:00 GMT

Trust, Not Trends | Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (NIV) 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness... This is about scripture’s trustworthiness, not if it is literal or figurative. The phrase means “given by inspiration of God,” is one word in the Greek text (theopneustos), which means “God-breathed.” The Greek is a compound word, with theo the Greek word for God, attached to the word pneustos which means “wind, or spirit, or breath.”Beginning in 2 Timothy 4:1, the attention turns from the past to the future... and the corresponding need to root people in “sound doctrine” and “the truth”. Timothy receives a solemn charge in 4:2, which might be the centerpiece of the entire letter: “preach the message [logos]”, that is, the good news about Jesus Christ (see also 2 Timothy 2:15).2 Timothy 4:3: interesting comment about people with “itching ears,” who “accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires.” It’s an accusation any group might make against those who don’t listen or translate “properly,” or more commonly in with human tendency, of surrounding ourselves with authors, teachers, and voices who say only the things we want to hear.Now more than ever before we are isolating ourselves in echo chambers, and only interacting with like-minded people. This becomes most hazardous when it gives us excuses to discount other voices. And when it creates teachers or preachers who pander to audiences, it has long lasting effects of discontentment and distrust. In circumstances where denominations or congregations suffer from deep divides, groups find it too convenient to ignore anyone who doesn’t “suit their own desires / opinions”.Maybe the warning offered in 2 Timothy 4:3 can help us today realize that listening for “the truth” requires us trust... to listen. The hinge of all of this: when we are disappointed in someone who breaks our trust, were we trusting the wrong being? For some of us, maybe trusting people is easier than a Creator or maybe visa versa? Many of us have projected distrust on God when it should have been placed directly onto a human... God isn’t guilty by association.“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” It is helpful to have voices that we resonate with, but find voices who expand our view due to a trust, not simply trend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 Timothy 1:1-14 | Quietness of Mind

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 14:01:00 GMT

2 Timothy 1:1-14 (NIV)1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,2 To Timothy, my dear son:Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.For the next few weeks, we are going to be looking at Paul’s letters of 2 Timothy.Over and over again Paul speaks of the promise of eternal life to believers in Christ Jesus. If you wonder why we pass peace each Sunday, we see it in greetings from Christ, Paul, and other writers... Paul, helping us to keep perspective reminds them (and us) saying whatever good we do, it is for God.If some of us are so fortunate to have a lineage of faithful disciples before us, we can trace some of those values to our current lives. It’s what Paul was speaking about with grandmother Lois, mother Eunice... and goes on to remind them to fan into flame the gift of God in them.7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.And the spirit of a sound mind means quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or negative dispositions, anxiety, or of fears. Maybe these serve as reminders of our constant need?This passage draws a contrast that isn’t very popular with some... Those who hold to the gospel will not be ashamed or disgraced; but those who oppose it, will be ashamed. Paul trusted his life, his soul, and eternity, to Christ.In the same pattern, whoever has stillness and quietness of mind will be enabled to hope... those wrestle with busyness, noise, and such will simply struggle.Paul is speaking from prison again... and begins to speak of joining him in suffering for the gospel. Just so we know, the vast majority of Scripture was written by oppressed people for oppressed people... which frankly, may be one of our greatest weaknesses for the West to comprehend the messages.All that is important comes in quietness and waiting - Paul is helping to unearth the importance of quieting the mind in the midst of circumstance beyond our control.Paul says, 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marking Moments

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:08:00 GMT

Marking Moments | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 12:32-40 (ESV)32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.You Must Be Ready35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”I would encourage us to meditate on this gospel this week from time to time. There is a lot here.Jesus begins with “fear not, little flock... where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”In my twenties/thirties, I had a friend that was just different than everyone else. His wardrobe consisted of 3 pairs of jeans and 5 green t-shirts and 1 white button-down. He was attempting to live a minimalistic life... He was one of the most content people I’ve ever known: In a sense, selling what he owned and giving it away.You Must Be Ready35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.Verse 40 says “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” This has been abused in many circles: stoking anxiety and urgency for a conversion experience. The urgency shouldn’t be one of conversion, but of awareness & awakeness... There is a peacefulness about not knowing when preparations have been made.Let’s assess our parish environment for a moment: We value: peace... meaningful moments... sacramental moments and rites. We bless those going back to school. Pausing and marking / devoting a moment... after Eucharist this week, we went to the river to baptize. Devoting / sealing with Christ... “Fear not, little flock... where are treasure is, there our hearts will be”. Our weekly / daily practices can reveal where are hearts are. This story is not one to cause anxiety. It is a gentle encouragement to do the simple work of preparation. Like my friend who began living out minimalism, which prepared him to have less and travel at a moment’s notice... his capacity for the unexpected eventually become more and more open.Maybe this idea of Christ’s return helps us to be open to Christ’s presence when & where we least expect it. This prepares us for whatever will eventually occur... When this happens; when, not if, we can have more capacity for whatever comes... for God is with us.Again, for Christ said: “Fear not, little flock... where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What We Value

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 00:55:00 GMT

What We Value | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 12:13-21 (ESV)The Parable of the Rich Fool13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”Jesus spoke often about our riches and how difficult it is to have them. The fact is that wealth and things are a deep temptation that hardly anyone can ever combat.The way we steward our life, time, resources... mind, energy, and attention... matters.This parable is a caution against coveting... to want what we don’t have... to want when we already have plenty... and perhaps encouragement to be wise. “The one who lays up treasure himself and is not rich toward God... “ Riches in this context means value. It is saying that the movements of our money can sometimes represent the movement of our hearts.Christ's kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. Christianity is organically otherly. A citizenship and kingdomship unlike our culture... Beyond the reach of empires and nations.The rewards of Christ's disciples are of another nature... and it come from communion. To covet is an actual sin we need constantly to be warned against; happiness and comfort do not depend on the wealth or influence of our world... or how much we have... or want to have.The needs of our souls are met with spiritual energy. This is a parable, which shows the folly of our want. When he saw a great crop upon his ground, instead of thanking God for it, or rejoicing to be able to do more good, he afflicts himself. What shall I do now? The poorest person in the country could not have said anything more anxious. The more we have, the more perplexity. Biggie said it best “Mo money, mo problems”. His folly: To think of making no other use of his plenty, than his own indulgence... without any thought of doing good for others.Richard Rohr writes that “Those who agree to carry and love what God loves, both the good and the bad of human history, and to pay the price for its reconciliation within themselves—these are the followers of Jesus. They are the leaven, the salt, the remnant, the mustard seed that God can use to transform the world. The cross is the dramatic image of what it takes to be such a usable one for God.”May we be reminded that the more we dwell / commune with God, we will be more kingdom-minded because over time, we will care more and more for what God cares for... and in the process of this communion, there will come wisdom on how to embody in the world around us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resurrection vs Resuscitation

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:25:00 GMT

Resurrection vs Resuscitation | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 24:1-12 (ESV)24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.Our faith is an ancient faith, yet vibrant, not dead. No matter how we like to imagine new innovation and creative ways of worshiping, it isn't new. It is tethered to the past, present, and future. It transcends space and time. That should be an amazing comfort for us.Those following Christ are people of resurrection not simply resuscitation, and our hope in Jesus brings about a bigger picture in a new creation, not simply an eternal evacuation. Jesus was resurrected, not resuscitated.To be resuscitated means to come back to the same body, same problems, same tensions... with the same inevitable ending. Resurrection means to defeat and complete death. Our human death is but a channel into eternity.From Good Friday: The Way of Jesus cannot be understood apart from loss. The deeper the loss and lament, the greater the tremors of hope. We are a part of the new creation... a new way of living...“Jesus's resurrection is the beginning of God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's Prayer is about.”― N.T. Wright, Surprised By HopeHope always remains, even in the very face of despair. May we always remember that our hope is not in evacuation and resuscitation... but in the Christ of renewal and resurrection.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holy Week

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 18:33:00 GMT

Holy Week | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 19:28-40 (ESV)The Triumphal Entry28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”As Jesus approaches, people are waving palm branches and throwing their cloaks down and spreading them over the road. This is a common image that we have with Palm Sunday... the cries of hosanna, which means “save us”. When we look at the crowd in this story, we can imagine that for many, when they cried out hosanna, they were asking to be saved from the Roman empire. These were desperate political cries, hopes in a Messiah, a King who would come and defeat the Romans, who controlled Jerusalem.The act of throwing a cloak down on the ground was a sign of homage and submission...of laying one’s self down, in hopes of deliverance and liberation.What does “hosanna” mean for us today? We are certainly in need of a hosanna posture... “save us”... though not from the Roman empire: save us from our addictions, our clutter, our busyness, our technology... our religions... our politics... our greed... save us from, ourselves.Good FridayThe entrance of sin into this world started a chain of events that wasn’t a part of the original story. Humanity was born in a garden in the presence of God to live, reign, and flourish with God in true communion. The Greek word schizó means to rip / tear in multiple ways / dimensions. There is a violence to this meaning that helps us frame the dramatic meaning of the cross of Christ. From there, everything changed. Humanity began to notice that we were naked and ashamed... needing clothing. Were hungry and then needed food. Humanity was ripped from our place.The tragic Notre Dame Cathedral fire arrested our attention. 800 years of history may just do that... has the blaze reignited the one holy catholic and apostolic Church... during this Holiest of Weeks? Gutting, yet symbolic destruction to be rebuilt... anew?The Way of Jesus cannot be understood apart from loss. The deeper the loss and lament, the greater the tremors of hope. Renewal comes out of death and destruction. We are a part of the new creation... a new way of living... but it begins here at the cross at Good Friday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prodigal

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 15:14:00 GMT

Fr. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 15:11-32 (ESV)The Parable of the Prodigal Son11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”At this point in Lent, this story is very timely. In a way, it means we can always come home again. As Jesus tells the story, the father does not rebuke his son. On the contrary, he celebrates his return.... Then we see the other son’s anger at his brother’s celebration... feeling slighted.... his father tells him: ‘You are always with me, and all that is mine is yours’. Even true repentance like the Prodigal’s cannot wipe out the past, and it does not put everything right - The inheritance has still been squandered.The key moment is this embrace.Through all of our lives, we change. We have a difficult time recognizing one another after a lot of time has gone by. I wonder if our milage and decisions can sometimes make us think or feel that our Creator may not recognize us?“The farther I run away from the place where God dwells, the less I am able to hear the voice that calls me the Beloved, and the less I hear that voice, the more entangled I become in the manipulations and power games of the world.” ―Henri J.M. Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal SonIn a story like this, we should see the grace and welcomed embrace of this father to his lost son. At the heart of the Gospel is the belief that Christ's love has the power, in any human life, to make the image of God evident again.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hopes From Here

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 16:50:00 GMT

Parish Hopes From Here | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginTraditionally, to have a parish meant to take spiritual responsibility for a designated geographic area. The greater Nashville area now has over 2 million people. Over the next 7-8 years, there will be another million.We believe in the importance of commitment to local community and planting roots to form deep and meaningful relationships in our neighborhoods that can help bring about real change and renewal. Our society is thirsty for spiritual nutrition, belonging, and genuine reverent worship. We desire to cooperate with God in the transformation of our souls. Beauty, Communion, and Peace will continue to be central values as we move forward into our third year.As Followers of Christ, we believe that we are nourished by living an integrated life of three streams: scripture, spirit and sacrament.Worshiping with both sacramental and spiritual gifts can deepen our joy, enrich our lives, and remind us that there are things we can learn from the worship practices of other traditions.It is interesting that the early New Testament church, namely the church in Corinth, was both eucharistic and charismatic. The Corinthians were knew that these streams moved together for a reason... only in our modern practices have we worked incredibly hard to separate them. Andrew Wilson (Spirit and Sacrament) says, “neither did Paul regard this as strange or problematic; in fact, he encouraged them to continue celebrating Communion together (1 Cor. 11:23–6) AND to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy (14:1). With the idea that God is stillactive, speaking, moving... it would serve us and the Church well, to believe the this God who was, who is, and is to come is still alive.From the Gospel today: It is so easy to fall into the trap of believing that the Golden Rule has a secret ending: Do to others as you want them to do to you as long as they agree to do the same to you... This isn’t a contract. The love we are called to give is not conditional. It is kenotic, a beautiful Greek word that means ’self-emptying’. It is not passive love that naturally flows from you to those who do good to you.If we can embrace these words and allow them to shape our internal ethic, if we can lay down our instinctual response and take up Jesus’ calling, we will discover a way of living that liberates us from our pain, anger and, somehow, may also liberate our enemies from theirs.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peace

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:46:00 GMT

Peace | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginPeace"Shalom" is the Hebrew word for "peace." It means something like everything in its place, flourishing as God intends. We find God in all things and all things in God. Blessed are the peacemakers. - Jesus. To be peacemakers, we need to be people of peace, both inwardly and outwardly. Our living The Way is the shalom that is proper for God's future world to be revealed here and now.If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. -Mother TeresaThere is an intentional pace to what we do. Our hope is that anyone who walks through the doors of Luminous Parish will find rest and peace in presence of the Almighty. There is no unsustainable thrill seeking here... however, we are quite often surprised by the Spirit.If we extracted and evaluated everything we know of Jesus, his life, teachings, and instruction, we could arguably draw the conclusion that Christ’s entire objective was to give, live, and embody peace. Maybe that is the meaning behind Christ-likeness... and why we find it so difficult or even off-putting. Our distractions and near sightedness hinderour ability to abide in peace. We don’t know what to do with it when we find it... unfortunately, we may feel more accomplished when we resist or combat peace.Resurrection gives hope for peace:1 Cor. 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.There is no peace without reconciliation... which comes from confession. The idea of repentance was and is to make way for peace. Our resistance is the enemy of peace.“Did I offer peace today? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” -NouwenSo much of our society wages war... may we wage peace.A parting thought: We are a small part of a very large picture. How we live today, may have lasting gravity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Communion

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:18:00 GMT

Communion | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginCommunionThe Way of Jesus is inevitably communal. Communion is intrinsic to a life of faith. We long for a sense of belonging. We weren't meant to live out faith in a vacuum of isolation. We were meant to process, translate, and discuss The Way in a communal setting. Much of life continues to gear us to be self-centric, so it is on us to practice the work of the people (liturgy) on Sundays to be the liturgy Monday through Saturday.Koinonia (/ˌkɔɪnoʊˈniːə/) is the Greek word, which means communion, joint participation; the share which one has in anything, a collection, a contribution. It identifies the idealized state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Church. Historically & theoretically, this has a higher success rate within parish life... intentionally smaller with lesser show and distraction. Now, there is a drastic contrast between communion and consumerism."The church that can’t worship must be entertained.”—A.W. Tozer“I believe that the community - in the fullest sense: a place and all its creatures - is the smallest unit of health and that to speak of the health of an isolated individual is a contradiction in terms.” ― Wendell BerryIn creating rhythms to be with God and to be with one another, our expectations should be realistic and patient. Most of us paint our current situation in the light of a previous experience, be it positive or negative.The Eucharist is central to our worship. At the center of the Eucharist, is Christ: Life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is and always has been known in the breaking of the bread.Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have a deep and constant communion with God, enabling his “Kingdom Come” and will being done on earth as it is in heaven.John 15 (ESV)I Am the True Vine15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.“First, we must call people to communion with God, to intimacy with God, to a sense of belonging. Most people are lost, confused, alienated. They suffer and struggle immensely in relationships. We have to proclaim loudly and clearly in our actions and in our words that God loves us that we belong to him. That’s a call to the mystical life.” —Henri NouwenCommunion encourages grace, trust, and eventually begins to leave fingerprints on everything it touches. Communion allows us to choose to keep our soul healthy rather than fatigued and consumed. From a consumer-view, we take communion... from a communion-view, we receive.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beauty

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:23:00 GMT

Beauty | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginValues - Beauty, Communion, PeaceAs an Anglican Mission to Nashville | Franklin, we desire to cooperate with God in the transformation of our souls. Sacred rhythms are the undercurrent of what we do and we intentionally have a contemplative stillness to assists in a time of rest and response.BeautyWe believe beauty inspires us in accordance of our view of God - The ultimate source of creativity, beauty, artistry, and holiness. Our desire for and orientation toward beauty is in fact a desire and orientation toward God. We also believe that this orientation leads us to repentance and enables our ongoing spiritual formation. Beauty is so quietly woven through our ordinary days that we hardly notice it. -John O’DonoghueIt would serve us well to reframe the concept of beauty. Our subjectivity certainly has a default. Beautiful things don't ask for attention. (Walter Mitty)... From time to time Jesus was the revealer or beauty. His miracles empowered beauty... his word/ life embodies beauty.Luke 4:18-21“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovering of sight to the blind,to set at liberty those who are oppressed,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”There is a lot going on in this Gospel. Jesus teaching in the synagogue means he was accepted in their ranks... which made what he says even more bothersome for them, and we now see it as him being the embodiment of this word. Also- Let’s be reminded that he is voicing these words of Isaiah in suffering terms: Poor, captives, blind, oppressed.There is beauty in contrast. There is no light with our darkness. No darkness without light - No melody without movement; No crescendo without silence. We can become so used to mediocrity that we find it difficult to look for beauty. How do our senses return? We need pallet cleansers as well as healthy spiritual practices.Contemplation is a gift, not an achievement. This practice of will heighten our senses; Gives us a calmer approach for responding, awareness, meaning, & discernment.“I stood willingly and gladly in the characters of everything - other people, trees, clouds. And this is what I learned, that the world's otherness is antidote to confusion - that standing within this otherness - the beauty and the mystery of the world, out in the fields or deep inside books - can re-dignify the worst-stung heart.”―Mary Oliver

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Epiphany

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 12:50:00 GMT

Epiphany | The Reverend Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 2:1-12 (ESV)The Visit of the Wise Men2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:6“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’”7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.An epiphany is: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by a simple or commonplace occurrence or experience. ‘Epiphanic moments' are those times when, quite suddenly, something of the greatest importance strikes us unexpectedly. At the Feast of Epiphany we commemorate for the first time, revealed to the whole world - the birth of the historical Jesus is revealed to be the incarnation of the eternal Son of God. The Word made flesh. All the rumors, all the prophecies, all hope... Everything coming true.It may be healthy for us to realize that the magi didn’t continue to search for Christ after they found him. Meaning, there is no record of them convincing one another that this wasn’t really who they were searching for... this Christ meant God was with them, us.This year, I would like to suggest a couple of things:1. Lean into the life and rhythms of Luminous consistently. Spiritualhealth doesn't solely occur in isolation, but in communion.Communion with God and with one another... because God is with us. Embrace the Anglican Way and it’s rhythms without reservation. Lean from curiosity to intentionality. As a parish, our values are Beauty, Communion, & Peace. Over the coming weeks, we’re going to discuss these in more detail.2. When a course or class resonates, make an effort to be a part. You will be a part of a conversation that is meant for spiritual health and growth.3. Daily Office. Begin with 1-2 Psalms each week. Realize that in doing so, you are joining many Believers all around the world doing the same.Prayer:Be our daily star, O Father, Son, Spirit.Guide our lives to be Your Kingdom come...May we follow your light of beauty & truth.Forever trusting, hoping and believing in The Way of Christ. Lift our eyes to see and our ears to hear.To the glory of your name. Amen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advent | Peace

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 13:29:00 GMT

Advent | Peace - The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 3:1-6 English Standard Version (NRSV)The Proclamation of John the BaptistIn the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea (it-too-rea) and Trachonitis (Track-on-i-tis), and Lysanias (Lie-seen-ious) ruler of Abilene,2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas (Ki-a-fas), the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make his paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled,and every mountain and hill shall be made low,and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Luke was arguably one of the more intelligent and insightful of the Gospel writers... and he is subtly undermining the systems of this world. Luke writes that someone greater than the early kings and rulers is coming to straighten the paths and smooth out the roads... and they will be contrasted with their leaders and will be outside of the framework and systems by which we even identify ourselves today. God (I AM) actively calls us into the wilderness, where we are away from the noise and norms, but also the desired distractions and comforts. Silence can be unsettling, but it can also be more revealing than the loudest of voices. Advent is symbolically the wilderness without light. It is a time of uncertainty, waiting, and preparation.This evening, we lit the candle of Peace. The Hebrew word for peace, Shalom: Everything in its place flourishing as God intends. The word shalom is mentioned more than 250 times throughout Scripture. Peace is key to participating in the Way of Jesus. Peace is key in making the pathway straight in preparing the way or the Lord.Peace is first of all the art of being.” ― Henri Nouwen. Meaning, if we live in a way where peace is of high value, we will work toward this peace. When we know peace we can’t help but share it. We want it for everyone. There is no peace without repentance.The level in which we sense peace can depend on our pace of life and our awareness to live differently. Here is good news: Regardless of the busyness of our hearts and minds, we can have peace with God.Preparing the way by living differently may need to begin with repentance. Today, this isn’t an every day word, though it enables our hearts to prepare Him room.MUSIC by THE BRILLIANCE luminousparish.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advent | Hope

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:45:00 GMT

Advent | Hope - The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginLuke 21:25-36 English Standard Version (ESV)The Coming of the Son of Man25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”The Lesson of the Fig Tree29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.Watch Yourselves34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”The word “Advent” is from the Latin “Adventus”, which means “arrival” or “coming.” Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the arrival of Christ, the Word made flesh. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s coming, they also challenge our modern reluctance to slow down and wait.  Last week we spoke about embodying the Kingdom... and being people of Christ’s Kingdom means living differently from the mainstream.As we begin this Advent, here are two things for us:1. Slow down to pay attentionWatch for moment in our days where Christ is revealed... This slowly changes the way we see the world. Remember, God isn’t required to show up, God IS... we should be compelled to be present. Moments that seem set apartness or unusual may be holy moments.2. Prepare to make roomAdvent intentionally prepares us for Christmas. It can be a season that helps slow down, while embracing patience... As we prepare him room, we making room for holy moments.N.T. Wright describes Advent as a season mixed with prophecy, politics, prayer, and perseverance... and Christmas becoming cozy. While Advent calls us to stay or become awake. We can invite / yield to the Spirit, in our relationship with prophecy, politics, prayer, and perseverance. If we do, our awareness of God in all these things will bend us into hope.Overall, Luke 21 is encouraging preparation and awareness. Beginning a new church year / liturgical season with Advent reminds us that the work of advent (arrival / coming) it is a beginning of newness. New hopes, we rhythms, new perspectives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Expectations of Another World

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 13:28:00 GMT

Fr. Chad E. JarnaginThe Reign of Christ / Christ the KingJohn 18:33-37 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”Jesus is handed over to the government / empire, and while standing on trial with Pilate, he is questioned: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus knows he is addressing the question that everyone is implying...With Christ saying, “my kingdom is not from this world. If it were, my followers would be fighting for me... but as it is, my kingdom is not from here”. Meaning, they don’t have jurisdiction or rights to pass this judgment to condemn, but he knows it is coming. His expectations were eternal-minded.“Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice”. This seems to imply that for those who believe, resonate with his way... and it serves us well to calibrate our expectations accordingly.If his kingdom is not of this world, what does it look like to embody another world? It may look like the best possible version of the current one. One where mercy, grace, and acceptance is given when its seemingly undeserved.Legacy is a transcendent encounter through time. Embodying the best possible version of this world beyond our time in it. A kingdom much greater than any empire or system. Regardless of our past prejudices, hurts, or traumas, we have a way forward in the light of the Kingdom not of this world... and it isn’t to wait for the extraction of eternity, but to embody the Way of Jesus here and now.Brennan Manning said “Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of our journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Great High Priest

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 13:34:00 GMT

Ordinary Time | Our Great High Priest | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginHebrews 4:12-16 (NRSV)12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.Jesus the Great High Priest14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested[a] as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.By pointing out God’s word is living and active, the writer wants us to recognize that it is vibrant and stirring. Sharp to the point of dividing soul and spirit... joints and marrow...thoughts and intentions of the heart. Verse 13 continues with no creature being hidden, all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account. Continuing into verse 14, the writer begins to submit the concept of how a Believer is kept in perfect rest... by grace, the office of our Great High Priest... and that he has passed through the heavens. Jewish writings speak of different layers to heaven: meaning that within heaven, God’s part of the two-sided created order, as opposed to ‘earth’, the space- time cosmos we live in, there are layers with God’s own dwelling being the innermost one.We have tendencies to project our version of god on to God. As God is unsympathetic, lacking empathy and understanding. This is one of themost complex breakdowns for Believers. The writer of Hebrews encourages to hold firmly to the faith we profess. Our high priest is able to sympathize with our weakness and temptation in every way. We are not alone. You are not alone.If that is the case, let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.We will experience a lack of confidence when Christ is removed from our center. The throne of grace becomes “a throne of suspicion”, a”throne of isolation”, or a “throne of know more / do more”... Any substitution will eventually prove to be a farce.What does a confident approach look like? Knowing the throne being approached... one of grace... with no hesitation, timidity... having assurance / knowing... there will grace and mercy in time of need. Here’s a reality for us to meditate on: approaching the throne of grace with confidence isn’t arrogance. It would arrogant not to, and attempt on our own power. Our way forward isn’t a by-pass route, it is direct joined with Christ.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yielded & Still

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 14:02:00 GMT

Yielded & Still | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginJames 3:13-4:3 (NRSV)To Kinds of Wisdom13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for[a] those who make peace.Friendship with the World4 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet[b] something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.James 4:7-8 (NRSV)7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.James continues to bring great insight and instruction: Again, I want to remind us to approach James in a patient contemplative openness, not pragmatically. Here, James is essentially speaking of three things we are all interested in. This round he speaks of wisdom, peace, and conflict.13-18 is saying there are two kinds of wisdom. One from above and one earthly. One spiritual, and one unspiritual.Spiritual wisdom: gentleness, peaceful, willing to yield (meaning open to reason), full of mercy, and good fruits. I did a little digging - Side-note: The Greek word for open to reason (or yielding) it is always a feminine tense. So what is unspiritual? Well, he lays it our here...Unspiritual: bitter envy, selfish ambition... false & boastful... saying that where there is envy, there is disorder and wickedness of every kind.Where to these conflicts and disputes come from that James speaks of? Cravings (desires) that are at war within... we can all answer that to ourselves in our stillness.Toward the end here, he speaks of submitting to God... resisting evil... draw near to God and God will draw near to you.Unlike some passages, we see some clear applications for us.1. Spiritual wisdom and the fruit for this kind of living in contrast tounspiritual... so we see how / what it looks like.2. By giving in to our inward battles, we will remain distracted andfruitless.3. Drawing near to God by our humility will bring about the spiritualway: peace, gentleness, and spiritual life... and essentially gives us the tools to appropriately deal with conflicts.This word submission / to obey is difficult for us sometimes, huh? To submit, means to give over or to yield. Why is this so tough?Maybe because we celebrate our individualism more than our communion. Everything around us competes for our attention. Make no mistake, yielding in this context couldn’t be further from a weakness. Our society and culture sees yielding as a weakness... but Jame is reframing weakness: he insinuates that our resistance to a spiritual way of living is an actual weakness. Have Thine Own Way Lord (1907)Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.Mold me and make me after Thy will,While I am waiting, yielded and still.Through the lens of this one verse of this hymn... In the light of this passage from James: what is it to live a spiritual way? What is it to live an unspiritual way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hope or Poison

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:00:00 GMT

Hope or Poison | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginJames 3:1-12 (ESV)Taming the Tongue3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers & sister, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what they say, they are perfect, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.There are patterns of active testing throughout this short book. James 3 is a timeless piece of text. Each week we walk through a portion of Scripture that typically works with the previous and following parts. If we take the examen framework and apply the text from last week as well, we would see where the real opportunities. For those who may have missed the first week: The Ignatian Examen of Consciousness is a simple prayer rhythm directed toward developing spiritual awareness: When we approach the Ancient Text, we must explore with openness not pragmatism. The examen helps us with this:Begin:-Assume a posture of stillness & reverent relaxation-Be aware that God is with you.-Mindful and thankful to God for blessings.-Examine how you have lived the day or if in the morning, how do you hope to live today.-Confess sin & ask God for forgiveness - much like our collective confession each week.-Resolve & offer prayer of hopeful devotion.Finish:Resolve posture of stillness & reverent relaxation James begins to warn of the strict judgement that teachers face. He talks through the means in which to be effective: the bridling of the tongue... which gains control of the whole body.The imagery of controlling a horse with a bit in their mouth, a ship by the rudder... these are actually helpful because they are small in comparison to what they control and navigate.Violent forest fires being set by the smallest of flames... As if to say the most flippant careless word can harm a large group of people or harm one person deeply. Every single one of us in this room knows precisely what this feels like... and unfortunately, we know what it is like to be the recipient and dealer.James continues to give us a broader scope of our potential affects of our words: taming the tongue is difficult... and how it can be a restless evil, full of deadly poison. All who are made in the likeness of God can be cursed by our careless words. We bless and curse with the same instrument.I would suggest that the weight of our tongue hinges on control. By controlling narratives about ourselves and others, it gives us a false sense of control. I’ll repeat James sentiment, “this ought not be so.”Have we considered that our words could have a holy purpose? Set apart from the harm and hurt that is everywhere else?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Eucharist | Part Two

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 12:33:00 GMT

The Eucharist | Part Twoby Fr. Chad E JarnaginLiturgy of the Table Cannon of the Eucharist: everything that happens here is a prayer to the Father.-Offering-Preparation of the Table-Eucharist PrayerEucharistic Prayer: Thanks is given in this time. Somehow we are found worthy of sharing in these gifts. Offers thanks in considerable lengths!The Apostolic Tradition (3rd Century)2 things are being offered up to God.-offering our hearts-offering our resources as tokens of thanksgivingThe Eucharist may end, but the worship doesn't. We are sent out to BE the liturgy (work of the people).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Eucharist | Part One

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 17:09:00 GMT

The Eucharist | Part Onewith Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin We see that it is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.― Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox WayUnderstanding the EucharistLiturgy is participation, not simply observation. If you get off track in the liturgy, don’t worry. Just relax in the moment and make yourself peacefully present to, and alert to the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to be immersed in the community around you—in song, prayer, word, silence…"You don't think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking." ― Henri J.M. NouwenWe tend to think that the Eucharist is something that we do, but it is more. Justin Marter doesn’t describe a Christ who lived in the past in a far off land disconnected from their reality and context. He is describing what happens everytime we worship. We encounter the true presence of our Lord as the disciples did on their road to Emmaus. This should help us see worship in a different light. We have 1800 years of evolution of the church, and though we have many different families of the Eucharist, essentially they all bear the early form of the early Church. The patterns are found in the Orthodox Church, Catholic, and Anglican Church, as well as others.This is simply an introduction into an ancient and beautiful practice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grace and Peace

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 13:36:00 GMT

Ordinary Time - Fr. Chad E. JarnaginEphesians 2:11-22 English Standard Version (ESV)One in Christ11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, [sojourners] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[b] the Spirit.Paul goes on to say “Therefore, remember where you came from...” and that at one point, they were separated from Christ. BUT NOW, they are no longer far off... they have been brought near (by the blood of Christ). 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. As we look at the heart of this part of Paul’s letter, we will see something incredibly important: 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.Underneath this portion of the letter, there is a spirit of hospitality & openness.“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It is not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment. It is not an educated intimidation with good books, good stories, and good works, but the liberation of fearful hearts so that words can find roots and bear ample fruit....The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover themselves as created free....not a subtle invitation to adopt the life style of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own.” -NouwenIn my first exposures to evangelicalism, most of what I recall was a policy of more. More of everything. When we are conditioned to more, we retain little. Over time, I realized that the more philosophy wasn’t sustainable. Bites are more retentive. Small doses where we are mindful and open is where retention and sustainability will be. Our devotion and communion are most certainly included in this mindset. Throughout Scripture we are given permission to slow our pace, find and receive peace... it’s human society that projects unsustainable consumption and pace onto us... where we have no margin for the activities that bring us life.For those far and near: 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [sojourners], but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pentecost

Mon, 21 May 2018 12:42:00 GMT

John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 (ESV)26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.John 16:4b-15 (ESV)4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.The Work of the Holy Spirit“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.Pentecost, the birth of the Church - The beginning of The Way.Before his ascension, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the Spirit coming after his departure. Jesus mentions the Holy Spirit as the Helper and the Spirit of truth, and yet the Spirit has been misunderstood almost since the beginning.A note: The Holy Spirit has already been present throughout Scripture. From the hovering over the waters before creation, to being with the prophets and the poets... all the way to the gospel stories. The Holy Spirit has always been hovering and creating, comforting and convicting.Pentecost was a new day of creation, not unlike those we read about at the beginning of Genesis.” The word "Spirit" comes from the Latin spiritus meaning “breath”. It is no mistake that this is an intimate image... breathing life into disciples of Christ over the course of history beginning at Pentecost where the Spirit rests on them as tongues of fire.7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment...It is the method the Holy Spirit takes, first to convince, and then to comfort.12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.This is strangely comforting. The idea that not only did Jesus say that his disciples couldn’t fully bear more than what Jesus had already opened them up to... and that the Spirit would guide them and us into all the truth.14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.It’s possible that the Spirit moves through those who pose the least resistance... the Holy Spirit is The Power of Heaven let loose in us. The Lord’s Prayer may have a different tone with this in mind. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.Fr. Chad E. Jarnaginmusic by Audrey Assad

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confirmation & Belonging

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 12:52:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resurrection

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 12:23:00 GMT

Mark 16:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)The Resurrection16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.There are two Gospel readings for Easter Sunday. In Mark’s portion, there is a lack of belief and resolve that resonates with me this year. Deep peace only comes after deep pain. Joy eventually returns after mourning - The resurrection of joy celebrated for an entire season b/c a single day isn’t enough. Today is the greatest feast in the Church year. It asks a total re-programming of our way of thinking, priorities, hopes and expectations. It take a process to celebrate the defeat of death. Be reassured and challenged by the fact that the first people (2 women) who heard and saw the empty town, ran away and didn’t talk to anyone about it. Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books or songs alone, but in every bloom of springtime. This is more of the beginning of a new year than January 1st.The resurrection of Christ reveals that death and darkness do not have the final say. No matter how deep your darkness, it will never be too dark for the Light of the Risen Christ to reach - This love will always transcend the weight of our humanity. This is not the end. This is the beginning.The Christ who announced God’s saving & sovereign kingdom; the Jesus who died to exhaust the power of this world’s rule and its rulers and all of our racism, evil, hopelessness, & discord... the Jesus who rose again to be crowned as king of heaven and earth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ash Wednesday

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 13:33:00 GMT

Ash Wednesday | The Rev. Chad E. JarnaginC. S. Lewis tells an interesting story in his book "The Great Divorce." A busload of ghosts is making an excursion from hell up to heaven with a view of remaining there permanently. They meet the citizens of heaven and one very big ghost from hell is astonished to find there a man, who on earth, had been tried and executed for murder. "What I would like to know," he explodes, "is what are you doing here, you a murderer, while I a pillar of society, a self-respecting decent citizen am forced to walk the streets down there in smoke and fumes and must live in a place like a pigsty." His friend from heaven tries to explain that he has been forgiven, that both he and the man he had murdered have been reunited before the judgment seat of Christ. But the big ghost from hell replies, "I just can't buy that!" "My rights!" he keeps shouting, "I have got to have my rights the same as you!" "Oh no!" his friend from heaven keeps reassuring him, "It's not as bad as all that! You don't want your rights! Why, if I had gotten my rights, I would never be here. You'll not get your rights, you'll get something far better. You will get the mercy of God."This is why we pray so often in the liturgy: "Lord, have mercy." This prayer, uttered with the smallest of faith, invites God's forgiveness and for the coming of His kingdom in our hearts. As our Orthodox sisters and brothers pray, "Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and repentance, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trangfiguration

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:16:00 GMT

The TransfigurationMark 9:2-9 (ESV)2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.The Transfiguration of Jesus is recorded in all three synoptic gospels (Matt., Mark, and Luke). This year we’re looking at Mark. The Transfiguration is one of very few episodes in the life of Christ that gets substantial confirmation across the different Gospels.Though it is fairly mysterious, here are some highlights: it seems that though Christ was surrounded by his closest friends... and experiencing something of the loneliness he will feel when he is eventually abandoned. However, there is something more desolate as we realize that a constant part of Jesus’ human experience was to feel lonelier in glory than any human could in their insignificance.An overview of this text: Jesus spending time away on a mountain, communion with God, the paradoxical nearness of far-ness of God that we continue re-evaluating in our own lives...The Transfiguration of Jesus indicates what is to come: a whole new creation, starting with Christ himself as the seed that is sown in the earth and then rises to become the beginning of that new world. -NT Wright (Simply Jesus).The reference to 'a veil' appears in a number of the readings in the cycle. Today, in Corinthians, Paul contrasts those from whom the light of the Gospel is ‘veiled' by 'the god of this world', with believers in whose hearts the Gospel has shone. “To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.Wed. night we begin Lent at the Liturgy of the Ashes. This season provides a spiritual opportunity for re-orientation. In fact, Lent is perhaps best viewed as an extended opportunity to remove the veil that prevents us from seeing “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. That may be why the lectionary gives us the Transfiguration on the last Sunday before Lent begins.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Epiphany

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:32:00 GMT

Epiphany Sunday 2018 | Fr. Chad E. JarnaginMatthew 2:1-12 (ESV)The Visit of the Magi2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:6“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’”7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.The Feast of the Epiphany is one of those relatively rare days in the Christian year when the Gospel reading is always the same. Although this has long been a major feast of the Church - and of special importance in the Eastern Orthodox tradition - only Matthew makes any mention of the strange event on which it is based.Definition of epiphany:-a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.-a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.Today we also acknowledge the Baptism of Jesus. It is in itself, an epiphany. As the Eastern Church points out, it is at this moment that we see for the first time the union of God the Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We see something else as well - Christ accepting baptism by John, a sign that Jesus accepts humanity, his own and ours... in its struggles, limitations, burdens, and hope of the divine and otherly.‘Epiphanic moments' are those times when, quite suddenly, something of the greatest importance strikes us unexpectedly. At the Feast of the Epiphany we commemorate and celebrate the moment at which the universal importance of the Jewish religion is, for the first time, revealed to the whole world - when the birth of the historical Jesus is revealed to be the incarnation of the eternal Son of God. All the rumors, all the prophecies, all hope... Everything coming true.May we be open this new season / new year. Open to being comfortable with being uncomfortable... to learn, hope, and change... to be who we are being compelled and called to be.Music by The Brilliance and Stars of the Lid

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Episode | Resting & Listening (PT2)

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 04:25:00 GMT

Special Episode | Resting & Listening PT2We're about to head into the "most wonderful time of the year", but for many of us, our overly committed schedules don't tend to seem so wonderful. In this episode, Fr. Chad helps us to be mindful and hopeful to retain some margin to enjoy the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Episode | Resting & Listening (PT1)

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:46:00 GMT

Special Episode | Resting & Listening PT1We're about to head into the "most wonderful time of the year", but for many of us, our overly committed schedules don't tend to seem so wonderful. In this episode, Fr. Chad helps us to be mindful and hopeful to retain some margin to enjoy the season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lament

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 13:26:00 GMT

Ordinary Time | Lament Latin lamentari, from lamenta (plural)1. to express sorrow, mourning, or demonstrated regret.The Psalms teach us how to lament. In a culture that has long lost this posture, honesty, and transparency. The actions of lament are a part of a process. A process of owning regret. Not just personal regret, but on behalf of someone else, or a collective group.If we have any spiritual / moral compass whatsoever, we can and will lament numerous happenings. We lament damages from flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes... loss of life... mass shootings, racism, and any other acts of violence. To lament means there is an awareness of our surroundings. We aren’t blind, indifferent, or apathetic.The tragedies surrounding us require our sensitive and honest attention in worship. Injustices must be identified. Enemies must be named. Maybe we are seeing some affects from a lack of lamenting. We can look to our recent history to see manifestations of our hurt, pain, and divisions... Most of which reveals itself in ways of demonizing one another... causing deeper divides.There is an important distinction during the process and actions of lament: We express, acknowledge, confess: confess that we are in need. We are not gods... and that our path to peace and rightness, is God and God alone. To refocus from us to God leads us to focus on others as well. So, the positioning of hearts, minds, and even bodies are important. When we are in a constant state of resistance, worry, or frustration, it affects everything else around us. We can become known as “that person”... you know, the whiner, complainer, the glass is half full...Lament enables reframing: tearing down to rebuild with proper redemptive framework.Psalm 19.To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 19The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge. 3There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.4Their voice goes out through all the earth,and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,5which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them,and there is nothing hidden from its heat.7The law of the Lord is perfect,reviving the soul;the testimony of the Lord is sure,making wise the simple; 8the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;9the fear of the Lord is clean,enduring forever;the rules of the Lord are true,and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;sweeter also than honeyand drippings of the honeycomb.11Moreover, by them is your servant warned;in keeping them there is great reward. 12Who can discern his errors?Declare me innocent from hidden faults.13Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless,and innocent of great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.Psalm 19:14 is our opening prayer of our homilies. But, it can also be a prayer for how we live each day.Followers of Jesus don’t always do a very good job of living faithfully in a broken world, perhaps because we’re looking inward instead of other- ward (or upward). CS Lewis reminds us: “Aim at heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in, aim at earth and you will get neither.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rhythms of Confession

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 16:34:00 GMT

Ordinary Time | Rhythms of Confession | Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV)Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.The context for The Gospel of Matthew: It was written shortly after the failed Jewish revolt against Rome. In the wake of the destruction of the Temple and devastation of Jerusalem… This is the context in which the meaning of Jesus as Messiah was being worked out. The gospel story reflects a bigger picture. Remember a few weeks back when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, and Peter said, “if it is you, Lord, call to me… and Jesus said, ‘come’… after sinking, Jesus helps him back in the boat and Peter says “surely you are the Son of God”. Here, Peter confesses “You are the Christ”. It is in our process & experience, where we sometimes have less & less faith only to find more and more faith. When we confess “You are the Christ!”, putting life back to order - asking for true shalom (everything in its place flourishing as God intends).Rhythms of confession assist in our spiritual, emotion, and mental health. When you don’t have words, or can’t handles for the moment, pray from the liturgy and join your posture with the communion of the saints - prayers from multiple generations, races, & cultures from the span of time. By confessing each week, we are confessing like Peter, “You are the Son of God”… and we are not.The subversiveness of the Kingdom, again with “20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.” In the tension of the day, Christ didn’t want this heat, yet. It wasn’t time…Before we progress, let’s contemplate the following with an open posture. “Who do you say that I am?”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rhythms of Mystery

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 02:41:00 GMT

Sacred Rhythms (Rhythms of Mystery)Matthew 13:24-30 (ESV)The Parable of the Weeds24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds[a] among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants[b] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”Matthew 13:36-43 (ESV)The Parable of the Weeds Explained36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law- breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.We are in the middle of many of the parables of Christ. These were tangible ideas Jesus used to describe the mysterious and subversive nature of the kingdom.The Purpose of the Parables10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.Prophecy and Parables34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. 35 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet:“I will open my mouth in parables;I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”Parables reiterate the importance of working out our faith together as we translate and process what we read in Scripture.This may be unpopular by society standards, but it doesn’t make it less true: As disciples, we are given a grace in our pursuit of God (because we are asking for it & professing it...). Everyone has access but we have to approach with the proper posture and confession. To receive a degree, masters, or doctorate, one must spend an extended amount of time as a student, focusing on a specific field of study - to be oriented, educated, & immersed. As disciples, we are oriented, educated, & immersed in the Way of Jesus. There, the Spirit enables retention, application, & guidance. This is portion of what Christ talked of he explained why he spoke to the crowds differently than his crew. We need to be cautious in our pursuit... we must allow for mystery.“In the Christian context, we do not mean "mystery" merely that which is baffling and mysterious, an enigma or insoluble problem. A mystery is, on the contrary, something that is revealed for our understanding, but which we never understand exhaustively because it leads into the depth or the unknown of God. The eyes are closed — but they are also opened.”― Bishop Kallistos Ware, (The Orthodox Way)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Episode | What Is An Anglican?

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 12:34:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sacred Rhythms (Rhythms of Health)

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 01:57:00 GMT

Sacred Rhythms (Rhythms of Health)Matthew 13:1-9 (ESV)The Parable of the Sower13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, [a] let him hear.”Matthew 13:18-23 (ESV)The Parable of the Sower Explained18 “Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.[stumbles] 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”In this week's Gospel, Jesus employs one of the most famous allegories ever used. The Parable of the Sower. This parable tends to be turned into the Parable of the Soil... not just the Sower. Being aware of where we sow seed... & understanding that we have life (seed) to spread into the world. Seed represents life. Healthy patterns of living will enhance our world little by little. Our art, craft, and voice, when properly calibrated, will yield fruit and harvest on many levels; In some ways we can see and others, we cannot. In a wonderful phrase from the section of Psalm 119 from this Sunday says ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’... beautifully capturing one way in which faith can navigate us.... But it applies only if casualness, complacency, distractions, or worries & anxieties have not prevented the 'seed' of God’s word & truth from taking root in us. If it can be properly rooted and regularly nourished, there is hope for life of a quite different rhythm.As Paul says in this week’s reading from Romans “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” Our task is to make our worship and liturgy the healthy avenue to be the Spirit's dwelling place.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sacred Rhythms (Rhythms of Humility)

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:56:00 GMT

Sacred Rhythms (Rhythms of Humility)Henri Nouwen says that community is where humility and glory touch.Lessening our pride leads to humility. Sometimes it has to be forced upon us. But what if we were to enable patterns of humility? I wonder if we would be forced to be humbled as often as we are.True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. CS LewisRomans 6:20 -2320 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Sanctus (Latin) is “holy”... the process toward holiness is sanctificare, means sanctification.During these days, it would be helpful to see demonstrations of humility. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty , was adapted from a short story (1939), by James Thurber, and there was also a movie made in 1947, starring Danny Kaye. Sean Penn’s prolific line, “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention”... if that’s true, humility must be beautiful. The Litany of HumilityCelebrant: O Jesus! meek and humble of heart,People: Hear my prayer.Celebrant: From the desire of being esteemed,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being loved,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being extolled,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being honored,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being praised,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being preferred,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being consulted,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the desire of being approved,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the fear of being humbled,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the fear of being despised,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the fear of suffering rebukes,People: Deliver me, Jesus.Celebrant: From the fear of being slandered,People: Deliver me, JesusCelebrant: From the fear of being forgotten,People: Deliver me, JesusCelebrant: From the fear of being ridiculed,People: Deliver me, JesusCelebrant: From the fear of being wronged,People: Deliver me, JesusCelebrant: From the fear of being suspected,People: Deliver me, JesusCelebrant: That others may be loved more than I,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Celebrant: That others may be esteemed more than I,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Celebrant: That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Celebrant: That others may be chosen and I set aside,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Celebrant: That others may be praised and I unnoticed,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Celebrant: That others may be preferred to me in everything,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Celebrant: That others may be more holy than I, provided that I am as holy as I can be,People: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sacred Rhythms

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 22:02:00 GMT

Romans 5:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)Peace with God Through Faith 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We’re beginning Ordinary Times, which we always find to be anything but ordinary. It’s season of Growing and Going. Finding that there is no formation without repetition.  Sacred Rhythms are the undercurrent of what we do at Luminous. We’re intentionally learning more about what these rhythms look like during these months. Suffering -> endurance -> character -> hope (repeat)Prayer -> abidingOur individualism can distort our communion with God. The inner-contemplative life is more about being still and listening more than what we have made prayer out to be in the West. Much of the church is afraid of slowing down, meditating, or breathing… maybe we’re afraid of what we will have to confront. Maybe we’re afraid of what we will hear in the silence.Proper prayer assist us in abiding. We cannot abide unless we slow down, be still… listen. Abiding enables communion. Listening leads to hearing. We have more to learn in our listening more than expressing needs. To think that God doesn’t know our deepest hurts, struggles, or hopes is to have a distant approach / view of God.   We mustn’t resist suffering. Lean in to it… for it will develop perseverance (endurance) and perseverance, character… and character, hope. Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent. -St. John of the Cross

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Episode | Noise

Mon, 22 May 2017 11:28:00 GMT

There’s a lot of noise around us. We're the makers of most of it. It’s everywhere, and comes in all forms. The noise can lead to fatigue - Fatigue with one another. Anywhere social media is found, we fall prey to envy, bitterness, compairson, and worse. We now live in a time where everyone can voice their opinion, discontent, frustration, or issues at any given time.With these mediums of noise there is good to be found as well. We can now encourage, share insight, inspiration, and ideas openly. Many of us aren’t holding our imaginations back from the general public anymore. That can be GOOD. But, let’s look at the tension and reality. Whether we want to admit it or not, we now find ways to compare ourselves to each other with what we perceive from our online personas. Let's remember, we are all presenting an alternate reality. Our lives are not as interesting, cool, or exciting as Instagram makes them out to be.Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us for contemplative prayer, a time in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to enable our communion with our Creator.If we as the Church are going to continue to BE who we say we are, we must return to our origins. Stilling ourselves will calibrate everything else in our lives. We will be more compassionate, patent, productive, and engaged.“There is only one problem on which all my existence, my peace, my happiness depend: to discover myself in discovering God. If I find God I will find myself and if I find my true self I will find God.” ― Thomas Merton Many of us find it difficult to press pause on life and even give ourselves permission to be still. It is one thing to find a rich contemplative life, it is another to simply begin the path. Making time to slow down or even make an effort to turn down the noise in our life is a good way to start. Please consider this:If you have a 30 minute commute to work, you could take half of the trip in silence. That’s 75 minutes of silence if you were to only do it 15 minutes one way, each day of the work week. 300 minutes of silence per month may be very peaceful even though you’re still navigating the drive to / from work.If you spend 2 hours per day on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, imagine only spending 1 hour. Use the other hour to be still. That’s 5 hours per work week. 20 hours per month!Here are a few great books that I believe can assist with this pursuit.1. Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr2. The Sabbath by Abraham Heschel3. Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Merton4. The Cloud of Unknowing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good, Holy Friday

Sat, 15 Apr 2017 17:27:00 GMT

Holy Week - Good Friday - Rev. Chad E. JarnaginGood Friday may seem counterintuitive since the day is a solemn one, observed with our fasting and somber reflections. Why is Good Friday called Good Friday? Good used to mean holy. Today, is Holy Friday.His brutal death was contextually unbearable... on many levels, but mainly because, at the beginning of human creation we were not created for death. This may be why death is so traumatic, harsh, confusing, & unbearable at times.Suffering is a focal point which reveals the dimensions of where our humanity still attempts to reject this decay... until we are eventually overcome with it. His love blood flowed mingled down from the cross that day - Seeing death in a new way, his followers scattered and fled.The meanings of today shouldn't be pragmatically reduced... it is not simply about us trying to "get right with God." It is about us entering the difference between God and humanity... and touching it for a moment. - It’s like touching the shimmering sadness of humanity's insistence that we can be our own gods, that we can be pure and all- powerful.” -Nadia Bolz-WeberGood Friday is a bloody blend of faint echoing Hosannas (a plea to be saved), suffering and pain... yet, we wait in the tension... it is finished.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Episode | Why Anglicanism?

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 12:52:00 GMT

LENT Special Episode | Why Anglicanism? In this episode, Fr. Chad E. Jarnagin discusses his personal journey into Anglicanism. This is not an exhaustive conversation on the topic, though will hopefully prove helpful to any on their path."Over the past fifteen years there has been more and more gravity compelling me toward ancient practices rooted in the rich history of Early Church. From the over exposure to the attraction model of church I eventually became fatigued with re-inventing the wheel week after week and expecting magical results from a production / presentation. A couple of my close friends have been forthcoming enough to ask if any of my jadedness or cynicism has played into my frustration of the evangelical mega-church model. That may be true but I have realized something very significant in the process – there is a difference between running away from something and being compelled toward something.With a membership estimated at around 80 million members the Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion in the world, after the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The Anglican Church has and always will have it’s tensions in many varieties, but that will be found in any human endeavor. For my family and I, we have had a sense of coming home with Anglicanism.We have had many friends who supported us and many even curious at what is happening these days. Sacramental hunger lies within most of us, though it may reveal itself to us in different ways. We are wired to be experiential. In liturgical spaces, everything becomes meaningful and symbolic. In the offering up of the bread and wine, we see the offering up of the wheat and grain and fruits of the earth, and God gives them back in a sanctified form. Though it may seem to "work" for some, many of us are thirsty for meaning that goes deeper than the brand with a 30 minute concert and a 45 minute motivational speech." We long to be in God's presence, with through His Spirit, scripture, and sacraments.The Collect of PurityAlmighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LENT

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 13:18:00 GMT

LentLent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a foretaste of Easter and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. We gather on Sundays at 5PM in Downtown Franklin at Generations Church (408 Church St.). Luminous KiDS & childcare is available for 0-11 years old. All are welcome.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Is Not The End

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 13:22:00 GMT

Ordinary Time - All Saints Sunday - This Is Not The EndWe worship weekly in Downtown Franklin (Generations Church 408 Church St.) at 5pm. We are an Anglican Mission to Nashville | Franklin, TN learning to be still, live fully, and reflect the Great Light of the world.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confirmation

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 02:12:00 GMT

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.