Category Archives: Grace
Strength beyond our strength.
The following sermon was offered at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Jacksonville, Fl, on the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 31, 2020, by The Rev. Canon Beth Tjoflat. Numbers 11:24-30 Psalm 104:25-35, 37 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 20:19-23 +++++++++++ May … Continue reading
The gate.
In this week’s Gospel reading (John 10:1-10), we encounter Jesus, the good shepherd. And yet in this passage he does not refer to himself explicitly as the good shepherd. Instead he tells his followers, I am the gate. I am the … Continue reading
Wailing wall.
A decade ago I was blessed to visit the Holy Land. One of the most moving experiences for me was visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem, an exposed section of a retaining wall built by Herod. Jews and other pilgrims … Continue reading
“We’re starving.”
These words yesterday, coming from one of our “church without walls” congregants, chilled me to the bone. At great inconvenience and physical hardship for herself, she made her way from a camp site to our food pantry, located about one … Continue reading
Believe in the light.
In today’s Gospel reading (John 12:20-36), Jesus told his disciples: “Believe in the light so that you may become children of light.” Jesus spoke these words at a time when his own soul was troubled. He understood what was to … Continue reading
Compassion crucifies fear.
God makes that possible. We begin our Palm Sunday, singing Hosanna, as Jesus rides into Jerusalem, bringing hope as a compassionate king, a merciful gracious leader who cares for all people, even and especially those who find themselves on the … Continue reading
Come from the four winds, O breath.
This morning the prophet Ezekiel reminds us that God is with us, that we can call on the One who created everything that is, even when it may seem, at moments at least, that we are left alone to face … Continue reading
Woke by Jesus.
This sermon was offered at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, FL, on Sunday, April 7, 2019 Fifth Sunday in Lent Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 Psalm 126 May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son … Continue reading
From expectation to wonder.
This year I have approached the holidays by deciding to take pleasure in small things. By moving from a place of expectation to a place of wonder. We talk a lot at Church Without Walls about how, while there is … Continue reading
Silenced by love.
Last night during our Church Without Walls Advent bible study, we reviewed the scripture for the third week of Advent. As we read from Zephaniah, we noticed a marked difference between translations. One stated that God will renew us in … Continue reading
