February 7, 2021, the Fifth Sunday after the EpiphanyAll Things to All PeoplePenelope Bridges Last week I had the honor of meeting with some very bright 7th-graders from Francis Parker Middle School. Usually at this time of year a group from Parker comes to the cathedral and we tell them a little about the Episcopal … READ MORE…
Almost 30 years ago I started on the path of discernment that led me to ordained ministry. One of the early requirements in the process was to work with a parish committee, to reflect on my call and the experience of ministry. Our aspirants today do something very similar. One of the most impactful questions, … READ MORE…
Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 17, 2021Penelope BridgesIt’s Always Darkest Before the Dawn If you Google the phrase, “It’s always darkest just before the day dawns”, you’ll find that the phrase was first committed to print by a 17th century theologian called Thomas Fuller, in the context of his Holy Land travelogue. However, it was … READ MORE…
The Rev.Cn. Jeff MartinhaukEpiphany 1B, January 10, 2021St. Paul’s Cathedral, San DiegoGen 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11 In the beginning, the earth was a formless void, and darkness covered the deep, says our text, and there were waters swirling about this dark, deep void. It has been a week with some moments where it has felt like … READ MORE…
January 3, 2021, the second Sunday after ChristmasPenelope BridgesThe Hard Truths of Scripture Alleluia, unto us a child is born. Come let us adore him, Alleluia. What do we know about the early life of Jesus? Matthew and Luke give us birth narratives with different details and emphases. Luke tells us about Jesus being circumcised … READ MORE…
The Rev. Jeff MartinhaukAdvent 3B, December 13, 2020St. Paul’s Cathedral, San DiegoJohn 1:6-8;19-28 One of the interesting things about the fourth gospel is that John, the main character of the reading this morning, is not John the Baptist. It is the same person that some of the other gospels refer to as John the Baptist, … READ MORE…
December 6, 2020Penelope BridgesAn Interview with St. Nicholas Today, December 6, is the feast day of St. Nicholas, better known in this country as Santa Claus. Through the miracles of technology I have managed to secure an interview with the venerable saint, and we sat down together on Zoom to talk about his world, his … READ MORE…
The Rev. Canon Jeff MartinhaukChrist the King A, November 22, 2020St. Paul’s Cathedral, San DiegoMatt 25:31-46 Mother Teresa of Kolkata is now well known for her acts of mercy and service. Her ministry was among the most poor and outcast on the streets of India. She was known as a “funny little nun who goes around … READ MORE…
All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2020 Penelope Bridges Coming Out of the Great Ordeal In any normal year we privileged North Americans would have a hard time identifying with those who have come out of the great ordeal. This year I think we might have some idea. The apocalyptic imagery of the Revelation to John … READ MORE…
St. Francis Day, October 4, 2020 Penelope Bridges The Easy Yoke of Love “Come to me, all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” This is the promise that Jesus makes to the disciples of John the Baptist, after John has been arrested. They are carrying a heavy … READ MORE…