Jesus – Ralph Patrick

“Mary, Women, and the Church: Part 3”

“Now, standing beside Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25 “Then Peter said to Mary, “Sister, we know that you are greatly loved by the Savior, more than any other woman. Tell us those words of his that you remember, the things which you…

“Va-Lent-Tines”

“This is love, not that we love God, but that God loves us.” 1 John “How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways.” Elizabeth Barret Browning How do you love God? How does God love you? Those are pertinent questions as we embark on the forty-day journey through Lent. It’s quite certain that…

“Listening to The Voice of God.”

“This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him.” The voice of God at the Transfiguration of Jesus. “If a person is talking to God it’s called prayer; If a person is says they’re hearing the voice of God it’s called schizophrenia.” Lily Tomlin If you could ask God any question, what would it be? When was…

Selling Jesus

The Gospel is free. Jesus never charged a speaker’s fee. Jesus never sold tickets to his “shows”. In fact He got pretty pissed off at those who did—think of the money changers outside of the temple. Jesus never took an offering, nor did His disciples. Just the opposite, He gave people food, health and life…

Christmas Love

“This is love . . . God loved us and sent His Son” 1 John “God’s Perfect Love Does Away with Fear” Tuesday was one of “those days”. The kind of day, and we’ve all had them, that from the time my feet hit the floor in the morning until I wearily hauled them back…

Very Religious People

“I see that you are very religious.” St. Paul There’s not much that I miss about being a pastor. I miss some of the people some of the time. I miss being at the major events in people’s lives, whether it be a crisis or some cause for celebration. And I miss the preaching. I…

Living in the Gray

“Just as the day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore, yet the disciples didn’t recognize Him.” John 21:4 “You have to live in the gray, or you got no kindness in your heart.” From On Living by Kerri Egan. Being an empathetic, compassionate and genuine human being requires not only recognizing, but becoming comfortable living…

Solitude and Silence:Beauty in Darkness

“Be Still . . . “ Psalm 46 Jesus went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. One of the many benefits of darkness is that it gives one the opportunity to have solitude and silence, rare commodities in our culture. Solitude is not the same as being alone. In solitude one is sequestered…