Episcopal Ramblings from North Idaho

On this podcast, I am from time to time featuring poems and other writings by congregation members of St. Luke's in Coeur d'Alene. May Jordan has published many of her poems. Enjoy, and be encouraged!

Fear does not win, friends. It only wins if we stay in anxious isolation in our hearts. We can continue forward with deep love, if we learn to abide in Christ deeply. Let this time be a time when you invite Christ to abide with you more deeply, and to open you in new ways and change your heart and mind.

Good shepherds, good leaders, have to figure out timing and balance to keep others safe, secure, fed, and healthy. What does phased and careful re-entry after sheltering in place look like? How are Christians called to be faithful co-shepherds with the Great Shepherd? 

Two disciples discuss matters on the road to Emmaus, trying to make sense of their present reality. A stranger meets them, whom they don't recognize is Jesus, and the stranger listens and asks questions. They open themselves to this stranger and share what is on their hearts. This is the beginning of their recognizing Jesus who met them on the road.

Deacon Glenda Empsall is our preacher this week. I am so glad for her words of faith, hope, and humor!

Palm Sunday is a potent, powerful day that pits two human responses to Jesus against each other -- welcoming Jesus as King, and rejecting Jesus as One to be despised. Into this fickle human reality, Jesus chose to live, move, suffer, and die. 

This is a poem by one of our writers at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Coeur d'Alene. I am happy to feature these gifts of our church members.