Tag Archives: compassion

Strength beyond our strength.

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in Christianity, community, compassion, Grace, Interfaith, love, Uncategorized | Tagged antiracism, compassion, George Floyd, Justice, Pentecost, prayer, racism, reconciliation, social justice | Leave a comment

Compassion crucifies fear.

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, compassion, Diocese of Florida, Grace, hunger, love, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged compassion, food assistance, Palm Sunday | 2 Comments

Rough edges and grace.

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Today was a glorious day at Church Without Walls. The sun shone brightly, warming us up just enough after a chilly night. We had blankets and other items to share thanks to the generosity of our national church. Dear friends … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, love, reconciliation, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church without walls, compassion, grace, grief, healing, homelessness, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Coming together.

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Orlando (and every other recent and incomprehensible tragedy), it is hard to feel anything other than profound sadness. I want to make room for this overwhelming sense of grief and yet I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, community, faith, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, compassion, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Marked by love.

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Today many of us will participate in Ash Wednesday services, offering ourselves – our brokenness and failure and our highest hopes — to the One who created us all. Today we enter the penitential and reflective season of Lent. Church … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged #ashestogo, 12-step spirituality, Ash Wednesday, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Silenced by love.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, love | Tagged Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, renewal, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“Who are we?”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was preached this morning at Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville, FL Christ the King Sunday 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 93; Rev 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Today we are invited to be boisterous and jubilant as we celebrate Christ the … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, baptism, Christ the King, church without walls, community, compassion, Ecclesia, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Made holy.

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

At Church Without Walls, we often end the service with a blessing attributed to St. Clare. It includes the words: “Your Creator loves you, made you holy…” What does it mean to be loved, to be made holy? And how … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, renewal, simple prayer, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, street ministry, vulnerability | 3 Comments

A Third Way.

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

My tendency is often to sort things out, deciding what fits where, as I attempt to order my own life and seek to make sense of the world around me. I know I am not alone in this endeavor. I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Resting in grace.

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

I am blessed to be staying in Kula, a tiny town nestled 3500 feet up, on the island of Maui. For me, this time away represents a much-needed and long overdue respite — a time to reflect on what has … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Maui, mercy, simple prayer | 2 Comments