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Fan Fiction: Pollyanna, Crutches, Gratitude--a rewrite of a famous scene.

Pollyanna sat in stillness, her gaze fixed on the crutches propped against the wall. They were far from the gift she had imagined, something playful or bright that might bring a smile to her face. Instead, they were these wooden supports—useless to her own healthy limbs and yet given to her as a present. Disappointment washed over her, and she made no attempt to hide it. Her father, noticing her downcast eyes, spoke softly. “My dear Pollyanna, it’s all right to feel disappointed. Even for people of faith, the first step is to name our feelings honestly. Yet remember that every gift—even one we don’t expect or understand—carries a meaning that gratitude can unveil.” Pollyanna tilted her head. “But Father, how can I be glad about something I don’t even need?” A gentle smile crossed his face. “Gratitude,” he replied, “is not just about what we want or what serves us. It’s about seeing the love of the giver and trusting that, in god’s providence, even an odd or unwanted gift can be part of...
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The Day of the Epiphanny

As we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ, I’m reminded of the rich meaning behind the term “Epiphany,” which comes from the Greek word for “showing forth” or “manifestation.” This day, along with the season that follows, honors the events through which Jesus was revealed as the Child of God. The arrival of the wise ones at Jesus’ birth reflects the recognition of the Divine by the Gentiles, emphasizing that Jesus is the savior of all people, not just those of Jewish heritage. In our first reading, Isaiah rejoices in the return of Israel to Jerusalem and envisions a time when people of all races and nations will journey to the Holy City and to the Divine, bringing gifts. This passage has long been read during this festival because of its striking resemblance to the coming of the wise ones. The second reading today expresses Paul’s belief that in the unity of Jews and Gentiles within the Church, the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption is revealed. Today, we celebrate not...
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The Second Sunday after Christmas Day

As we continue to celebrate the entrance of the Divine into the world, our readings today invite us to reflect deeply on the unfolding story of God’s presence among us. [For Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23.] In the Gospel according to Matthew, we encounter the Holy Family fleeing to Egypt to escape Herod’s attempt to harm the infant Jesus. Matthew presents Jesus’ life as the fulfillment of Israel’s history, seeing Him recapitulate the journey of the people of Israel—their exile to Egypt and their return to the Promised Land. This connection emphasizes how Jesus embodies the collective story of a people seeking liberation and homecoming. [For Luke 2:41–52.] The Gospel of Luke offers us the only account we have of Jesus’ childhood. Here, the twelve-year-old Jesus appears to the teachers in the temple as a remarkably insightful young person; to Mary and Joseph, He’s a child who has strayed, causing them great concern. For us, this narrative serves as a profound reminder of the Divine incarnate, pr...
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Joseph, the Bethlehem Massacre, and the Compassion of God

The gospel text (Matthew 2:13-15,19-23) is not an easy one. Matthew confronts us with the stark reality of Herod’s cruelty, the suffering of innocents, and the deep grief of a world marked by violence. This is not the Christmas story we display on greeting cards. Instead, it is the raw and unfiltered aftermath of Christ’s arrival, a story where light enters the world, and darkness recoils with terrible force. Frank Tupper, a theologian attuned to the complexities of God’s providence, offers a lens through which to consider this passage. His reflections on the story of Joseph and the Bethlehem Massacre do not dismiss the horror of these events but rather invite one to grapple with a God who does not coerce history, even in moments of profound suffering. In Tupper’s words, “God always does the most God can do,” and this perspective illuminates Joseph’s role as a model of faithful human agency amidst chaos. Joseph: The Quiet Hero of Providence When the angel of the Lord appears to Jo...
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The Holy Name

Today we are to reflect on the meaning of the name “Yeshua,” which is transliterated as both Jesus and Joshua in English translations. It means “Yahweh saves,” highlighting how the Divine work of salvation is revealed through the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus, first signified by the very name itself. Our Gospel reading brings us back to the birth of Jesus, the visit of the shepherds, and the holy family’s faithful adherence to Jewish customs in circumcising and naming their child. They gave the name that the angel had provided before conception. The first reading is the familiar blessing from the Book of Numbers, still cherished by both Jewish and Christian communities. In this blessing, God’s name is placed upon us, and we become people who bear the Divine Name. In our second reading from Philippians, we explore the meaning of the name Jesus. It is revealed through Jesus becoming human, dying upon the cross, and being raised by the Divine, unveiling the savior of t...
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Choosing a Eucharistic Prayer for the Season of Christmas

The season of Christmas invites us into the wonder of the incarnation, the profound mystery of the Word made flesh. This pivotal moment in the Christian story shapes our worship and calls us to celebrate the reality of God dwelling among us. Choosing a Eucharistic Prayer reflecting this theological richness is an essential consideration for clergy and worship leaders as we seek to create liturgies that resonate with the season's spirit. The 1979 Book of Common Prayer and Christmas The 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Eucharistic Prayer B stands out as an excellent choice for Christmas. Its theological focus on the incarnation makes it a natural fit for this season. Consider these lines: “In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.” When pai...
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The First Sunday after Christmas

On the first Sunday after Christmas, the lessons guide the reader beyond the historical event of Jesus’ birth to its profound cosmic and saving significance.  The Gospel reading offers us the theological prologue to the Gospel of John. This early Christian hymn describes Jesus as the incarnation—the enfleshment—of the Divine Word, who is one with God, through whom God creates and redeems the world. It also expresses our unity with the Divine through grace and faith. Thus, the birth of Jesus is not simply an event in his story but a pivotal moment in our lives. Our first reading today promises the reestablishment of God’s people in God’s Kingdom. The prophet sees this as a certainty, emphasizing that it is an integral part of the Divine plan of salvation. In the reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we encounter Paul’s proclamation that our relationship with God is based on faith rather than adherence to the Law in the new covenant. Paul identifies the source of this new rela...
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