Independence Day: Golden Rule in politics

Communism, Trump said at Mt. Rushmore on July 3, has been dealing death and destruction for thousands of years. The only way that makes sense is to include all enemies of democracy in the category, making Trump himself a communist. But this one’s more than Trump’s stupidity and lashing out. Actual tactics lie behind this […]

Speaking at the Guibord Center

The Guibord Center asked me to speak about spirituality in times like ours. I discussed being mindful about my incoming, my outgoing, and my indwelling. My thanks to president and CEO Lo Sprague for the gracious invitation. The cover photo features the late Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, the center’s founder and Lo’s partner and co-innovator […]

Renewal of Vows Scrapbook

My album from our annual renewal of vows and chrism mass today at St. John’s Cathedral for the bishops, deacons, and priests of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. We took counsel together, shared stories, renewed our promises to our God in Christ, and went home with plenty of blessed holy oil for healing services […]

Two months since the wildfires

Two months after the Los Angeles wildfires, they were fresh on everyone’s minds this morning as interfaith and ecumenical leaders met with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park. Co-sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders, the hour-long, off-the-record conversation, which I moderated, […]

Politics and Peace: A word about the election

My siblings in Christ in the Diocese of Los Angeles: “Peace be with you,” our Lord said to his friends when he appeared to them after the Resurrection. And then he said it again: “Peace be with you.” According to the account in John’s gospel (20:19-23), they were afraid of Jerusalem’s religious authorities. Their fear […]

Sunday without a priest? Feeding the people with the Word

[The Episcopal News] The problem with the deacon’s mass? It’s the name itself, for one thing. It’s true that, according to the catechism and church tradition, deacons have assisted priests and bishops in the administration of Holy Eucharist, both as chalice bearers and in settings where a priest was not available. The instructions on p. […]

The promise of the Nativity: A Christmas message

Christmas 2023 My siblings in in Christ: May you and yours have a blessed Christmas and New Year. In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge scenes of his childhood. The movie versions we love capture the sights but usually not the smells. “He was conscious of a thousand odors […]

Making the Promise, and Meaning It: An Easter Letter

My siblings in Christ: It is a blessing and joy to extend greetings to you and all whom you love as we prepare ourselves for Easter Day and Eastertide. I pray that for all of us, the Resurrection miracle continues to be a source of peace should conflict flare, reassurance when sorrow intrudes, and strength […]

To Pray, Mourn, and Bear Witness | Para Oorar, Lamentar y Rendir Testimonio

My siblings in Christ: I write to thank our diocesan family for your fierce, faithful prayers this week for the victims of the shootings in Monterey Park and San Mateo County, their families and friends, and all members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Our thoughts naturally rushed first to the people of […]