Site content is provided in English and Español via human and machine translation.
Give us feedback
Sometimes the folks who put the Lectionary—the lists of Sunday readings—together do a really wonderful job. Sometimes it’s questionable, as in August, but today it’s a perfect pairing. John the Baptist, the Gospel tells us, was traveling around baptizing people. This was a departure from traditional Jewish practice, and that—and the fact that he was…
In the year 539 BC, Cyrus, the ruler of the Persians, conquered the Babylonians. A relatively benign and tolerant ruler, in the following year Cyrus allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and Judea and resume their customs and traditions, provided that they recognized his authority. Around the time of Cyrus’ decree, the prophet…
There’s an interesting quote—from an unexpected source—that applies to this First Day of Advent, from a book you may have read to your children or grandchildren, or that you may remember from your own childhood. The book is by Dr. Seuss, and is entitled, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. The quote to…
We all know that Scripture is made up of many different types of literature. But we don’t often think of Scripture as good theater. But when you think of it—there’s lots of opportunity for theatrical presentations in the stories of the Bible. Think back to the times you either participated in a Sunday school or…
We have learned to embrace God as all-loving, all-caring, and all-forgiving. On this Christ the King Sunday we might imagine God as the ultimate benevolent ruler—one who takes care of his subjects and provides a peaceful, safe, and satisfying environment. Wouldn’t we be pleased with a ruler who welcomes everyone, outcasts and all, who tended…
Among the biggest mysteries of daily life is the passage of time. What happens to it? Why are we so bound by it? Why does time pass so slowly when we are young and so rapidly when we are old? It seems that the opposite should be true. And above all—when loved ones leave us,…
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Written around 750 BC, these words from the book of Amos are still powerful today. They convey an ideal that is a constant hope for the good of all humankind, and also an elusiveness that is true of all those dreams that, in…
Today is a day to feast on thanksgivings of memory, to recall people who have gone before us, patriarchs, prophets, and pilgrims, who were disciples in their own times. Some we know by name, others remain known only to God. Even so, as the author of Ecclesiasticus reminds us, “Their posterity will continue for ever,…
The annual stewardship season is fast coming to a close. We will be making decisions on how we share the gifts that God has given us with our church, and in other ways that touch lives and causes that are special interests of ours. We most often consider what we do based on our financial…
Do you love God with your whole heart and all of your soul and mind? Do you love your neighbor in the same way? These are the tough questions of today’s readings. Loving God is not measured simply by being baptized, going to church, praying regularly, or by professing to be a Christian. Loving God…
The Episcopal Church
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY
212-716-6000
800-334-7626
© 2026 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society
Terms of Service
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Clarity is a web analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic.
Service URL: clarity.microsoft.com (opens in a new window)
You can find more information in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
