The Middle Way

This reflection is based on Psalm 88 Isaiah 61:1-9 2 Timothy 3:1-17 Mark 10:32-45 The theme of suffering is common all throughout Scripture and is emphasized in the epistle and gospel lessons. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection to the disciples, which we know was an excruciating suffering for Jesus; being mocked, beaten, and crucified. The disciples did not understand this message yet, having only the concept of a king that would overthrow the current powers of their time and establishing His kingdom on Earth. James and John make a request known to Jesus to be seated in positions of honor. Jesus responds to them saying that they must share in His sufferings, this being the only thing Jesus promises them and adding that the Father wills who will be seated at His right and left. In making this known to James, John, and the Ten, Jesus then says that the authority given them is to be used in service, neither to be served or to intimidate others. Paul in his second letter to T...

Forgive me for my lack of content for a long, long period of time. This is my first reflection I will be posting, the second one I ever delivered during a service. The psalm and readings were 16; Isaiah 3:8-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Luke 20:41-21:4. The content is mostly based on the entirety of 1 Thessalonians and from the beginning of chapter 20 in Luke. I hope you enjoy and are blessed by this. Let me know what you think. God bless: Morning Prayer Reflection 12-7-2018: This is my third time observing Advent, at least in it's proper context. I can remember a certain type of "advent" being observed in my childhood, which I'm sure is true for all of us,  was that of which was waiting to open the presents under the tree. Advent is probably my favorite season of the liturgical calendar tying with Lent. While they ought to be practiced periodically throughout the rest of the year and our lives one of my favorite attributes of the season is the emphasis on disciplines...

Traditions are an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (such as a religious practice or a social custom.) Much of Western society has abandoned it, citing that it's "restrictive," "stifling," or "bland." This case is not found only amongst secular spheres but also in many Christian communities. The reason I've gotten many times from Christians is that it stifles the true spirit of worship, or that "religion" restricts having a fulfilled relationship with Jesus Christ, and even to fulfilling the desire to being "less Catholic." I find no dichotomy between religion and relationship, or Catholic and Christian; and I have expressed in conversations before that it's like saying one loves their spouse but hates marriage. In my view, the abandonment of tradition in the Church has been largely negative and has been successful in dropping the numbers of church attendance. With tradition elimin...

One of many things I can truly appreciate in the Christian Tradition is the celebration of the witness of the Saints who came before. Much of the protestant "denominations" have done a good job at taking it away from the culture of the Church; while militant secularists have been after the culture altogether. A question that ran through my mind before is, "why do we bother observing feast days and the Saints when following Jesus is basically just that?" Following Jesus. Doesn't it take away glory from God and bestow honor upon another person or group of persons? Quite the contrary, I would argue. Observance: How does celebrating the Saints honor and glorify our Lord and Savior? Why is celebrating them so significant? Because the witness of the Saints shows us how Christianity is practiced to the fullest. Usually some significant acts by their hands, are often attributed to them, and are patron to those who do similar things; i.e. Michael the Archangel, is des...

It's commonplace today to criticize religion, particularly Christianity probably because this is the dominant faith amongst Americans and Western culture. Not to say others have not recently or ever in our history are criticized the same way. I am only going into the misconceptions surrounding Christianity, both from the view of today's Church and secular opinion. 1: Christianity Is Thoughtless and Unreasonable St. Peter writes that we must have a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15.) Christianity is not a blind Faith at all as we are exhorted continually to read and study the Scriptures. Not everything is literal word-for-word for us to follow. The Bible is jam-packed with varying genres and writing styles. Take for instance the Book of Psalms; it's a song book. To many it may not appear that way however the original language would really make it flow better than our contemporary translations. A Christian also should know how Jesus Christ and the Law relate ...

So I have been wanting to blog for a long time and really only just recently built my drive enough to get started. As of now, I think I ought to say something a little about myself and break the ice, and to tell you what I am about and foreshadow the intent of this blog. Where to start.... My name is Zach. I was born July 2, 1991 A.D. in MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. I've been pretty much raised and educated my entire life in Central Florida, minus a couple of years in Norfolk, Virginia; little of which I remember. I was only a baby. I graduated high school on June 5, 2010 and left for the army June 30, 2010 to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, ended up only serving 8 months. I was honorably discharged March 25, 2011. I have no regrets but I wish I could have thought it out better. God's plans are greater. With that said, here is the primary reason for this blog thread: I am a Christian, baptized in a Southern Baptist church when I was 12, confirmed in the Episcopal C...