St. James the Apostle- 25 July- Matthew 4:21; Acts 12:2

  St. James the Apostle was the elder brother of the Apostle John and is sometimes called James the Greater. (The name James is a British form of the common biblical name Jacob or "Iakobos.") James was among the first followers of Jesus (Matthew 4:21); he was also part of the inner group of disciples near Christ at certain key moments (see Matthew 17:1 and Matthew 26:37). 

Later, James was one of the Eleven Apostles who encountered the risen Christ. He was also in the group present after the Ascension (Acts 1:13). During Christ's earthly ministry, James hoped for earthly honors (Matthew 20:20-23), but he learned to put aside such worldly ambitions and became the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Gospel (Acts 12:2). Let us remember and honor the example of James and learn to follow him in humility and faithfulness.

St. Matthew the Apostle/Trinity XIV- Matthew 9:9-13

This year the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity falls on 21 September which is the Feast of St. Matthew. The Gospel is from St. Matthew 9: 9-13 and gives the account of Matthew's call to follow Christ: Matthew also seems to have been called Levi (Mark 2:14). According to ancient tradition, Matthew may have collected Aramaic sayings of Jesus which formed the basis for Matthew's Gospel. He may have also been a missionary in the Jewish Diaspora and a martyr. In first century Palestine, tax collectors were despised as traitors, extortioners, and generally immoral scoundrels. Yet,  Jesus associated with such people. He called tax-collectors as well as all others to repentance and service for the kingdom of God. 

So on this day, we remember and give thanks that our Lord called people such as Matthew. God's grace extended to Matthew and allowed him to be a witness to the Gospel. Likewise, our Lord calls other sinners including us. He offers us His divine grace, and He can empower us, just as He did Matthew, to witness in word and deed to the good news of Jesus Christ.

St. Peter the Apostle- 29 June (Trinity II)- Matthew 16; John 21

 Besides being the Second Sunday after Trinity, this Sunday, June 29, is also set aside to remember and honor the apostle Peter. This commemoration is one of the oldest saints' days on the Christian calendar. In 258 A.D., the Church at Rome set aside this day to honor Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Besides this feast, on medieval calendars, the two saints were honored separately on several different days. At the time of the English Reformation, the Book of Common Prayer reduced the number of saints days. June 29 was kept to honor St. Peter while January 25 commemorated St. Paul.

Throughout the New Testament, we see the importance of Simon Peter. Although he has obvious human weaknesses, he is a leader who often speaks for the whole band of apostles. Such is the case in today's Gospel from St. Matthew 16:13-19. The most important thing about St. Peter is not some personality trait or human accomplishment. He is not an authoritarian human ruler over Christ's Church. Instead, Peter is important because of his witness to the common faith which unites all faithful disciples. The authority that he is granted comes from his confession in St. Matthew 16:16, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Despite his human failings, misunderstandings, and denial of Jesus during Holy Week, John 21:15-21 shows us Peter's restoration by the risen Lord. His mission to care for Christ's sheep is renewed, and the Apostle dedicates the rest of his life and his death to serving the Lord.

As the collect for the day indicates, Peter was blessed with "many excellent gifts." Nevertheless, he was all too human and fallible. He was a strong character with good leadership potential, but he did not always stand up for his convictions. Ultimately, his most notable characteristic was his willingness to accept divine grace for repentance, renewal, and service. In this, Peter provided an encouraging example for all Christian ministers and believers. So commemorating St. Peter is not just about Peter himself or even about bishops and priests; it is about the faithfulness of the entire Church. The example of the Apostle is a call to all of us. Through divine grace, may we all be faithful followers of Christ, the Son of the living God!

Pentecost or Whitsunday- John 14:26

 This Sunday is the fiftieth day after Easter and the tenth day after Ascension Day. The biblical name is Pentecost, and on this day Christians think about the coming of God the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other disciples. Some Anglicans also call the day by the nickname “Whitsunday.” Apparently, this name arose in northern Europe from the white gowns worn at Baptisms on this day.  After all, in northern climes, the temperatures were likely to be better for baptisms than they were seven weeks earlier.

In Christian doctrine, the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit is the invisible or hidden person, nature, and power of God, especially as it is at work in the world and in human lives. But sometimes it’s hard for us humans to deal with invisible things like a spirit; so we like to visualize spirits having forms. The Bible itself gives us some concrete ways to think about the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3:16), we are told that the Spirit came down like a dove- a peaceful and innocent bird. In Acts 2, the Spirit comes like an invisible but powerful wind. It is also full of energy and movement like flames of fire.

At Pentecost, we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit in a powerful new way upon Christ’s followers fifty days after Easter. Besides the account in the Acts of the Apostles, the Gospels, especially the Gospel according to St. John, also promise the blessing of the Spirit.  In John 14:26 (KJV), Jesus teaches, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

By these words, Jesus teaches us about the basic work of the Holy Spirit among Christians. The Spirit has done, is doing, and will do many things, but the central work of the Spirit is related to the message of Jesus Christ. The work of the Spirit of Truth is to inspire believers. The Spirit of Truth is to remind, motivate, and help the disciples apply the Truth they have already heard from Jesus. Although the Holy Spirit certainly brings new life and new insight, He never brings some sort of new gospel. The Spirit does not and will not change the core message. The Divine Spirit’s chief work is to help us apply the Word incarnate in Jesus in new contexts. The Spirit gives new life to the Gospel and to the Church, but the Spirit always works with and through the message revealed in the Scriptures (especially in the incarnate Word Jesus Christ), summarized in the Creeds, and applied to us through the Sacraments. So today let us recall that basic message and give thanks for it!

St. Thomas the Apostle- 21 December

The traditional feast of St. Thomas the Apostle is the 21st of December. Because Thomas had doubts about the Resurrection of Jesus (John 20), we often associate St. Thomas with the Easter season, but he is also an appropriate example for contemplating Christ's Incarnation. Despite his initial doubts, Thomas encounters the risen Christ, and he makes a powerful confession of faith. In John 20:28, Thomas affirms his faith that Jesus the Christ is "my Lord and my God."  In other words, Thomas confesses that Jesus is God incarnate. 

So as Advent draws toward a close, let us focus on the truth of the Incarnation proclaimed by Thomas. The holy Child born in Bethlehem is our Lord and God, Immanuel, God the eternal Son and Word, come to us in human flesh. Thanks be to God for Thomas and his faith in Jesus Christ!

Conversion of St. Paul- 25 January

 Since the sixth century, January 25 has been the date to commemorate the conversion of the great persecutor of Christians into the great missionary of the Gospel. Whatever the original reason for the choice of this date, it is certainly appropriate for us to remember St. Paul during the Epiphany season. Once again, there is an epiphany or manifestation of Christ, this time the revelation of the risen Lord to Paul on the road to Damascus. The glory of this manifestation is blinding in the short term but transforming in the long term. 

The Conversion of St. Paul has a personal significance for most believers because Paul became the great apostle to the Gentiles, and the vast majority of Christians are Gentiles. In addition, through St. Paul, we have half the New Testament Scriptures. So on this day, let us give thanks for St. Paul. In the words of the collect, let us follow "the holy doctrine which he taught," and let us consider how we too may participate in Christ's mission to all people.

Confession of St. Peter- 18 January

In the sixth century, the Gallican (French) church began to observe January 18 as the feast of the Chair of St.Peter. This feast highlighted Peter's apostolic/episcopal authority by focusing on the symbol of the cathedra. In the sixteenth-century Reformation, Anglicans and Lutherans simplified their calendars by reducing holy days, eliminating this one. (Roman Catholics eliminated this feast with Vatican II modifications.) Later, some Anglican and Lutheran calendars re-introduced a commemoration of the Confession of St. Peter on this date.

Certainly, Simon Peter's confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah is an important point in the Gospels. The extended account in Matthew 16: 13-20 points to core affirmations about Jesus and the foundation of the Christian Church. Peter is a leader among the Twelve and his affirmation of faith has remained at the heart of Christianity. Sincere believers still profess and trust that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God. Such faith is the rock on which Christ's Church is built, and the Church will endure till the end of earthly history.

During the twentieth century, ecumenical dialogues among Christian groups designated the week or octave beginning on January 18 as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, This observance was first proposed by an Anglican priest in 1908, and it was later promoted by inter-church groups. The groups associated with ecumenism have had their problems. They have often been weak on theology and basic Christian morality. Nevertheless, praying for better communication and understanding among those who claim to follow Jesus is an admirable cause, So as we contemplate St. Peter's pivotal confession of faith, let us pray for all who sincerely believe in Jesus, and let us pray for the Church's Scriptural mission in a fallen world.

Trinity XIX- Matthew 9: 1-8

The Gospel for the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity is from Matthew 9 and tells of Jesus healing a paralyzed man by first forgiving his sins. The scribes or scholars of the law are scandalized because they think that only God can forgive sins. In one way, the scribes are correct. Ultimately, forgiveness or pardon comes from God, and Jesus can forgive sins because He is God the Son incarnate. Yet, with Christ's incarnation, a new era has begun. The Gospel is fully proclaimed by Jesus and later by His disciples, His Church. So the Apostles and other disciples as the living Body of Christ in the world have continued to proclaim forgiveness in Word and sacrament.

St. Thomas the Apostle- 21 December

It may seem strange that the Feast of the Apostle Thomas occurs so closely before Christmas. The exact reason for the date is buried in ancient Christian history. It may be related to an event such as date of martyrdom, moving of relics, or dedication of a church in his name. Whatever the historical detail, there is also a theological point. Thomas points us to the importance and meaning of Christ's Incarnation, 

Of course, on the Sunday of the Resurrection. Thomas did not see the risen Christ, and he was doubtful. A week later, Thomas did see Jesus when He came to the disciples. Then the doubting apostle made a very strong confession of faith; he affirmed Jesus the Christ as "My Lord and my God" (St. John 20:28).

Thomas is an example that Christ can overcome doubt and use former doubters as faithful witnesses. Thomas is an especially strong witness to the Incarnation when he exclaims that Jesus is Lord and God. As another Advent draws to a close, may we think about these words and their meaning for us. We are not celebrating the birth of just any baby. The Christ Child is unique. Christians share Thomas' affirmation that Jesus is our Lord and God come in human flesh!

Fifth Sunday after Trinity- Luke 5:1-11

The traditional Gospel for Trinity V is St. Luke's account of the call of the apostles (Luke 5:1-11). This version includes some details not included by Matthew and Mark. Like other passages, this one mentions that the first disciples were Galilean fishermen. It adds that they had just had a poor night of fishing and that Jesus guides them to a great catch. Simon Peter is amazed and frightened because of Jesus' holy power. Jesus ignores such fear and calls Peter and the others to follow Him. He promises that they will catch people for the kingdom. They accept the call and leave their fishing business to others.

The miraculous catch of fish is an amazing event in itself, but it is also a miracle which points beyond itself. It points the Galilean fishermen and us to Jesus' ministry of gathering people for the kingdom of God. It is a call to discipleship. It is about Christian vocation. Like Peter and the other apostles, we are asked to leave behind old ways in order to follow Jesus in all things and in order to share in His mission of seeking people for God's kingdom.

St. John Apostle and Evangelist (Christmas I)

Today is the Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. John is certainly an important New Testament person and writer. He was the son of the fisherman Zebedee, and younger brother of the Apostle James. John, his brother James, and Simon Peter were often together and seem to have been the disciples closest to our Lord. In fact, John himself is usually identified as the beloved disciple to whom our Lord, while on the cross, entrusted His mother.

John may have been the youngest of the Twelve, and as hinted in today’s gospel, despite hardships, imprisonment, exile, and threats to his life, John was the only Apostle to survive to a truly old age and die a natural death. Because he lived so long, John provided the strongest personal connection between the first and second century churches. He also wrote the Gospel and three epistles that bear his name and probably also the Revelation or the Apocalypse.

St. John clearly deserves to be remembered and honored. But why today? Why is his day placed so close after Christmas Day? The Church seems to have had three reasons for this choice. First, in the early centuries of the Church, several commemorations that stressed something about the foundations of the Christian faith were placed on the calendar right after the celebration of Christ’s Birth. Secondly, having several important Christian celebrations during the pagan winter festivals of late December gave believers a positive distraction from surrounding pagan celebrations.

The third and most important reason for remembering St. John on the third day of Christmas is that John’s writings contain several themes associated with Christmas: light, life, love, truth, and the glory of the eternal Word, God the Son, revealed in human flesh. The Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke tell us some details about Christ’s Birth. The Gospel of St. John and his letters emphasize the doctrinal meaning of the Nativity. Thanks be to God for the apostle John and even more importantly, thanks for the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ!