Fr. Paul's Meditations for Church Year C

Fr. Paul's Church Year C Meditations have started. They are available in his blog titled "Meditations for Church Year C".  Read more

“All sins shall be forgiven and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” Mark 3:28-29 Those seeking a literal answer ask, “What is the unforgivable sin?”  Read more

Twenty-Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 29) The Reign of Christ the King: Having grace to go to is home, having someone to love is godly. Having both is a blessing. Think Legalism: “Pasture” is a physical place. Feel Grace: “Pasture” is when we feel His Presence. "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the LORD"  Read more

“Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees who deny that there is any resurrection” What we are thinking is irrelevant. How we are thinking is relevant. The lesson today is an example of the fact that literal thinking trying to get rational answers to spiritual questions is irrelevant. Only spiritual thinking can get grace answers concerning spiritual questions.  Read more

Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Pentecost: Grace is a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be. Think Legalism: “Create” is seen physically. Feel Grace: “Create” is felt spiritually. "I am about to create new heavens and a new earth"  Read more

“Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees who deny that there is any resurrection” What we are thinking is irrelevant. How we are thinking is relevant. The lesson today is an example of the fact that literal thinking trying to get rational answers to spiritual questions is irrelevant. Only spiritual thinking can get grace answers concerning spiritual questions.  Read more

Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost: Wisdom is based on facts filed away just below the conscious level. Think Legalism: The “word” is audible. Feel Grace: The “word” is feeling the Presence of Jesus.  Read more

Zaccheus may have been among the tax collectors at the Baptism of Jesus. Luke 3:12 Jesus met with many tax collectors and publicans during his short three year ministry. In Luke 5:29, a Tax collector named Levi who became the Apostle “Matthew”, made Him a feast in his house with a great company of publicans. In Luke 7:34, Jesus was accused of eating and drinking with publicans. In Luke 15:1, “All of the publicans drew near to hear Him.” It would be difficult to believe Zacchaeus only knew of Jesus; they likely knew each other personally. How did Jesus know who that person was in the tree? After all, He called him by name!  Read more

Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost: When no one is watching, grace lives as if someone is. Think Legalism: “Sins” are immoral acts that cause separation from God. Feel Grace: “Sins” are immoral acts that are caused by separation from God.  Read more

The story is a simple one. Two men are in the Temple for prayers, one a Pharisee and the other a Tax collector. The Pharisee prays to himself about how faithful he is. He is not at all like the tax collector. The tax collector merely prays, “Lord have mercy upon me a sinner.” He leaves justified and the other not. The Pharisee is not much different than some in America. They see themselves as religious people. They are rich enough to follow all the laws. However, they do all they can to legalistically not follow the laws. They hate paying taxes and they see themselves as patriots. They are not thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like the tax collecting traitor.  Read more