Tag Archives: compassion

“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

“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

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

New life.

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The past few days I have been thinking about what it means to be brave. Lately it shows up most often for me in a willingness to be vulnerable with others. This week I had an opportunity to speak about … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, reconciliation, renewal, spiritual growth, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Two nickels.

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past Sunday a man, whom I don’t recall meeting before, approached me during the peace. “Mother Beth,” he said with a sense of purpose that made me wonder what he wanted. He held up his hand. “When is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged church without walls, community, compassion, generosity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, street ministry, vulnerability | 5 Comments

Fully alive.

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was offered this morning at San Jose Episcopal Church where I was blessed to preach and celebrate. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Cor 3:1-9; Matt 5:21-37) “Fully alive.” A few weeks ago I had an opportunity to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, radical hospitality, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

To be despised.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Sometimes laws are used to push people aside, to get rid of people we don’t like. To make them go away.” At Bible study this morning one of our friends from the street made this observation as we reflected on … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, street ministry, vulnerability | 2 Comments