Choose Wisely

The parable of the sower is about choosing wisely.

Friday • 10/7/2022
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 140; Psalm 142; Micah 3:9–4:5; Acts 24:24–25:12; Luke 8:1-15

Adding Saturday’s OT Scripture: Micah 5:1-4,10-15

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

To Love Much

The woman is unnamed, and so is the nature of her sin, that makes it easier, I think, for each of us to put ourselves in her place

Thursday • 10/6/2022
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 131; Psalm 132; Psalm 133; Micah 3:1-8; Acts 24:1-23; Luke 7:36-50 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

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An Invitation to the Dance

The sobriety of John’s ministry is that his job was to issue a call to repentance, a call for preparation, a call for getting one’s house in order.

Wednesday • 10/5/2022 • y2p22w
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 119:145-176; Micah 2:1-13; Acts 23:23-35; Luke 7:18-35

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Jesus Can Get Us All the Way Home

We see in Jesus not just empathy in our sorrows, but power to transform them: he can defeat death itself.

Tuesday • 10/4/2022 • y2p22tu
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 121; Psalm 122; Psalm 123; Micah 1:1-9; Acts 23:12-24; Luke 7:1-17

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Like an Evergreen Cypress

Hosea offers one last simile for Yahweh and his people: “I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit” (Hosea 14:8 RSV).

Monday • 10/3/2022
Proper 22

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 106:1-18; Hosea 14:1-9; Acts 22:30–23:11; Luke 6:39-49

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2-6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Always Time to Seek the Lord

To all appearances, the “good life” consists in having money to burn, an ample palate, boundless fun … with everybody thinking you’re amazing. Jesus says otherwise.

Friday • 9/30/2022 • y2p21f

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 102; Hosea 10:1-15; Acts 21:37–22:16; Luke 6:12-26

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

"Take Care..."

Healing on the sabbath embodies the principle that the sabbath is a gift for restoration and healing.

Thursday • 9/29/2022 • y2p21th

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 105:1-22; Hosea 5:8–6:6; Acts 21:27-36; Luke 6:1-11 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

An Insult Overlooked

Paul will later write that Christ is Groom to the Church as the Church is Bride to Christ.

Wednesday • 9/28/2022 • y2p21w

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 101; Psalm 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; Hosea 4:11-19; Acts 21:15-26; Luke 5:27-39

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 11 (“The Third Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 60:1-3,11a,14c,18-19, BCP, p. 87); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 16 (“The Song of Zechariah,” Luke 1:68-79, BCP, p. 92)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Tied to the Destiny of God's Image Bearers

In the Christian calendar, we are in the orb of the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. It is a time to praise God for the heavenly powers he uses to defend and protect his people.

Tuesday • 9/27/2022 • y2p21tu

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 97; Psalm 99; Hosea 4:1-10; Acts 21:1-14; Luke 5:12-26

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 13 (“A Song of Praise,” BCP, p. 90); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Let Down Your Nets

You never know when he’s going to say, “Let down your nets for a catch.” 

Monday • 9/26/2022• y2p21m

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 89:1-18; Hosea 2:14-23; Acts 20:18-38; Luke 5:1-11

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2-6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3-4, BCP, p. 94)

A text version of this podcast can be found here

A Cleansed Heart, A Good Conscience, A Sincere Faith

Paul means that love flows from a faith that doesn’t carry an array of masks that it can change to fit the character it is playing.

Friday • 9/23/2022 • pastorals_10

Today’s is the tenth of ten devotionals that treat Paul’s last three letters — those to his ministry proteges, Timothy and Titus. Last week, in the first three devotionals on the so-called Pastoral Epistles, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, we saw how God overcomes our lack of faith, hope, and love. Following those three meditations are four devotionals in which we show how God implants in us basic ingredients of human flourishing, what are often called the classical “cardinal virtues”: godliness and temperance (which we treated last Thursday and Friday), and justice and courage (which we treated Monday and Tuesday of this week). Finally, in these last three devotionals of this special series on the Pastorals, we see how Paul inspires us to faith, hope, and love.

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Christ Our Hope Urges Us On

You find yourself contending against a spirit of Lone Ranger spiritualism.

Thursday • 9/22/2022 • pastorals_09

Today’s is the ninth of ten devotionals that treat Paul’s last three letters — those to his ministry proteges, Timothy and Titus. Last week, in the first three devotionals on the so-called Pastoral Epistles, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, we saw how God overcomes our lack of faith, hope, and love. Following those three meditations are four devotionals in which we show how God implants in us basic ingredients of human flourishing, what are often called the classical “cardinal virtues”: godliness and temperance (which we treated last Thursday and Friday), and justice and courage (which we treated Monday and Tuesday of this week). Finally, in these last three devotionals of this special series on the Pastorals, we see how Paul inspires us to faith, hope, and love. 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Enabled to Reach for the Stars

In the Pastoral Letters, faith enables you to reach for the stars. 

Wednesday • 9/21/2022 • pastorals_08

Today’s is the eighth of ten devotionals that treat Paul’s last three letters — those to his ministry proteges, Timothy and Titus. Last week, in the first three devotionals on the so-called Pastoral Epistles, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, we saw how God overcomes our lack of faith, hope, and love. Following those three meditations are four devotionals in which we show how God implants in us basic ingredients of human flourishing: godliness and temperance (which we treated last Thursday and Friday), and justice and courage (which we treated the past two days). Finally, in these last three devotionals of this special series on the Pastorals, we will see how Paul inspires us to faith, hope, and love.

A text version of this podcast can be found here

When God Hands You the Ball

“Coach,” he said, “I felt like I was going to die!”

Today’s is the seventh of ten devotionals that treat Paul’s last three letters — those to his ministry proteges, Timothy and Titus. Last week, in the first three devotionals on the so-called Pastoral Epistles, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, we saw how God overcomes our lack of faith, hope, and love. Following those three meditations are four devotionals in which we show how God builds into us basic building blocks of human flourishing: godliness and temperance (which we treated last Thursday and Friday), and justice and courage (which we treat today and tomorrow). Finally, in the last three devotionals of this special series on the Pastorals, we will see how Paul inspires us to faith, hope, and love.

A text version of this podcast can be found here

To Stay Engaged

In the public square we are “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone.”

Today’s is the sixth of ten devotionals that treat Paul’s last three letters — those to his ministry proteges, Timothy and Titus. Last week, in the first three devotionals on the so-called Pastoral Epistles, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, we saw how God overcomes our lack of faith, hope, and love. Following those three meditations are four devotionals in which we show how God builds into us basic building blocks of human flourishing: godliness and temperance (which we treated last Thursday and Friday), and justice and courage (which we treat today and tomorrow). Finally, in the last three devotionals of this special series on the Pastorals, we will see how Paul inspires us to faith, hope, and love.

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The Merciful Invasion of Jesus

Growing up, I had a temper problem. But eventually I came to see that when I lost control, I was, well, out of control.

Friday • 9/16/2022 • pastorals_05

For these two weeks, we are taking a thematic approach to Paul’s Pastoral Epistles, his letters to Timothy and Titus. The first three days of this week, we looked at the way the apostle addresses our deficits in faith, hope, and love. Today we are in the second of four days in which we take up the way Christ teaches us godliness, temperance, justice, and courage. And on the last three days of this special series, we will think about what Paul describes as the positive aspects of faith, hope, and love in these letters. Today: temperance, self-control, or self-mastery. 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Eusebia ("Good Religion")

Worship-tainment that is all sizzle-and-no-steak is not “good religion” either. 

Thursday • 9/15/2022 • pastorals_04

For these two weeks, we are taking a thematic approach to Paul’s Pastoral Epistles, his letters to Timothy and Titus. Over the last three days, we looked at the way the apostle addresses our deficits in faith, hope, and love. For the next four days, we will take up the way Christ teaches us godliness, temperance, justice, and courage. And on the last three days of this special series, we will think about what Paul describes as the positive aspects of faith, hope, and love in these letters. 

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Our Affections Change

Prometheus showed too much philanthrōpia—too much affection for the likes of you and me.

Wednesday • 9/14/2022 •

For these two weeks, we are taking a thematic approach to Paul’s Pastoral Epistles, his letters to Timothy and Titus. First, we are looking at the way the apostle addresses our deficits in faith, hope, and love. Second, we will take up the way Christ teaches us godliness, temperance, justice, and courage. Finally, we will think about what Paul describes as the positive aspects of faith, hope, and love in these letters.

A text version of this podcast can be found here

The One Certain Hope

Today, Paul addresses flawed “hope.” One way to think about his subject is: “Hope: what it isn’t.” 

Tuesday • 9/13/2022 •

For these two weeks, we are taking a thematic approach to Paul’s Pastoral Epistles, his letters to Timothy and Titus. First, we are looking at the way the apostle addresses our deficits in faith, hope, and love. Second, we will take up the way Christ teaches us godliness, temperance, justice, and courage. Finally, we will think about what Paul describes as the positive aspects of faith, hope, and love in these letters.

A text version of this podcast can be found here

Including a Vicarious Faith

Mounting a cool motorcycle and racing off in the wrong direction right over a cliff.

Monday • 9/12/2022 •

Welcome to Daily Office Devotions. I’m Reggie Kidd, and every Monday through Friday, I offer devotional observations on some portion of that day’s readings for Morning Prayer in the Book of Common Prayer. Thanks so much for joining me this Monday following the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. Because of my travel schedule, for the next two weeks we are taking a detour in our devotionals)

A text version of this podcast can be found here