Category Archives: Christianity

“Forgotten by us, but dear to you.”

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This day I find myself meditating on a prayer from a beautiful Litany for Compassion: “For all who are forgotten by us, but dear to you: We entreat you to hear us, good Lord.“* I think of the pain and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged community, compassion, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, radical hospitality, simple prayer, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Fields of wheat.

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This Sunday we will hear again the parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). It is one of the gospel messages that can be disconcerting, even disturbing. At the end of the age, none of us wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, 7th Step, Christianity, compassion, grace, hope, inner darkness, parable of wheat and weeds, recovery, vulnerability | Leave a comment

The garden of my heart.

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In tomorrow’s Gospel lesson, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. Hearing this parable used to make me uncomfortable. I worried that my soil was too rocky or shallow, that the good news would die or be snatched away. Looking … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Matthew 13, recovery, resentment, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Sabbath time.

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This weekend I carved out time I didn’t think I had. To spend time with dear friends, time breathing in salt air, eating fresh food and feeling the sand beneath my feet. It is an odd quirk of mine – … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, sabbath, simple prayer, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Grace breaks in.

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

There is no doubt in my mind that many sacred things are happening around us at any given time. They may be small, almost imperceptible events. Or they may be life-changing, seminal happenings. I am also convinced that I often … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, peace, unity | Tagged church planting, Communion, community, grace, gratitude, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, street ministry, vulnerability | 3 Comments

“Nothing bad.”

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This week I visited with a friend who has become very interested in our “church without walls.” Her heart for those on the edge – for those who have been lost, forgotten or rejected – is not new. She has … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, holy ground, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, option for the poor, radical hospitality, reconciliation, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Icons

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Standing behind a thick marigold line waiting our turns to drop identification into a small pass-through drawer, together forming a community as we each hope for a green light to enter the facility to visit a friend or family member. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, grace, grief, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, prison ministry, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

A happy life.

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

On Palm Sunday, when I went to clear off the altar, I found this box of instant mashed potatoes next to the offering plate. At first, the package seemed strangely out of place, but almost immediately it made me think … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, generosity, grace, gratitude, holy ground, mercy, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Unity in diversity.

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

My Lenten discipline of making confession became something much bigger. It resulted in a challenging and amazing conversation with a monk who also is a Catholic priest. While on retreat, I had scheduled time to make my confession – a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, reconciliation, unity | Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, reconciliation, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 4 Comments

The gift of the shadow of death.

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning I saw my friend Abe for the first time in weeks. He looked bright-eyed and well-tended. As we spoke, I noticed a body brace peeking out from his windbreaker and asked him what had happened. “I got beaten … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, compassion, healing, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, recovery, street ministry, vulnerability | 1 Comment