The Encouraging Thomist

  Take up Thy Cross and Follow Me Icon Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 15:15-21 Psalm 26:1-8 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 I. There is an old hymn in the Baptist hymnal  that I grew up singing countless times as a kid.   And the lyrics still stick with me to this day:    and its first verse and refrain is familiar to you as well: "'Take up thy cross and follow me,'  I heard my Master say,   'I gave my life to ransom thee,    surrender your all today.' Wherever He leads, I'll go.  Wherever He leads, I'll go.   I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,    Wherever He leads, I'll go." Anyone heard that song before?  Is the tune "Falls Creek" which is the tune of this hymn   going to stay with you for the rest of the day?    I know its already in my head! Now, I'll be the first to admit that I paid very little attention  to this particular hymn for most of my youth,   as it was one of those "old person" hymns    th

St. Monica Icon Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (Baptism of Logan Justus) Isaiah 56:1,6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 I. Have you ever heard of patron saints before? If you have, who or what comes to mind when I mention patron saints? Perhaps one of the easiest patron saints that comes to mind is St. Patrick,  the Christian saint of Ireland,   whose feast day is celebrated in March by a wide variety of people,    even those who have never darkened the doors of a church.  I always find patron saints interesting,   because, traditionally, patron saints are understood as advocates and intercessors   for specific places, people, vocations, and anything else under the sun! For example, St. Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of patron saint of the lost,  because of his example of Christ's love for lost people.   But he also has several legends associated with him that tell of wonder-working    in finding lost people, lost items, and even lost pets!     So,

  Christ walks upon the Water Icon The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 1 Kings 19:9-18 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33 I. Isn't it amazing how heavily our lives are influenced  by where you look with your eyes? And no, it is not just what we watch on T.V.,  or what news station is our default,   or what books we read.    It really is also about where we look with our eyes     in normal everyday life! For you who have kids,  how often have you had to remind them   to look where they are going?    If you play tag with them,     you really do have to remind them,      "Okay, DON'T look behind you to see if I'm chasing you,       because you will run into something and break your face."        I say this as someone who had much experience in this area,         and my face-bruises I wore proudly in my childhood tell the story. If you drive around town,  or if you just got your drivers license,   what's one of the first things you are taught?    LOOK wher

Jesus Feeds the 5000 Icon Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 55:1-5 Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-22 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21 I. Have you ever undertaken a pilgrimage before? You know, a long journey to a specific place, often to a sacred place,  for the purposes of deepening your devotion or your spiritual life? Pilgrimage, like the Camino de Santiago,  the nearly 4 week travel over 485 mile journey to the resting place    of St. James the Apostle? A very common pilgrimage for a lot of people is Jerusalem,  and it draws a lot of people seeking spiritual nourishment,   whether they be Jewish or Muslim or Christian.  What about a pilgrimage to the Vatican?  The seat of the Pope is a deeply meaningful journey   not just for Roman Catholics,    but for many people in general who go to see architecture and artistry     from some of the most notable Renaissance painters and sculptors.  In fact, several within our own congregation at Trinity Searcy  took a pilgrimage to Ireland a few years ago!