St. John The Divine's Podcasts

Forgiveness cannot always be easy. Sometimes it is a matter of letting go and moving forward rather than speaking the words. When the situation does not allow for resolution, it's still OK to let go and move on. The Rev'd Patrick Sibley Deacon

Romans 13:8-14 & Matthew 18:15-20 What can two writings, written by two different people, to two different communities over 2000 years ago tell us about how we live today? Through exploring the context of these writings, we can come to understand a little more about what they might mean in our context today as we struggle to respond to change and uncertainty in the world and in our community. The Reverend Gillian Hoyer Assistant Curate

As Jesus walked his own path he asked his disciples and friends to follow him by taking up their cross as he took up his own. That cross is a daily decision to love other people and love God. The cross is found in small actions of kindness and grand actions of deep friendship. It is found in mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. It is found in difficult times and gentle. To take up our cross is to take up the daily work of love. The Rev'd Bill Tarter, OSF Associate Priest

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20 In today's gospel, Jesus takes the disciples to an unusual and uncomfortable place before probing them with a question that we are all challenged to answer: "Who do you say that I am?" The Reverend Gillian Hoyer Assistant Curate

The Rector offers some of his own experience of confronting racism and white privilege in his life, and how Jesus' cross-cultural encounter in today's Gospel reading challenges Jesus, and us, to think again. The Venerable Alastair McCollum Rector

As we celebrate the holy mysteries of Christ's eucharistic table - with Gillian+ presiding for the first time! - St. Paul reminds us that we are "heirs of God", and that means fellow-heirs with Christ - which means that we get everything he gets. Thanks be to God that we who were poor have been made rich - with God's kind of riches! The Rev'd Dr Canon Todd Townshend Dean of Theology, Huron College

The story of Jesus walking on water, and inviting Peter to join him outside the boat, is among the best known of all scriptures. The leap of faith required to "get out of the boat" is no small thing, but Jesus is there to catch us if we sink, and to encourage us when we trade our fears for a chance to be brave with God. The Rev'd Canon Kevin Arndt Associate Priest, The Anglican Church of St. John the Divine

We come to the end of Jacob's story of estrangement from his brother Esau - with a strange encounter between Jacob and an unnamed man with whom he wrestles. An interesting story, what might it mean for us today, and where does it fit both into the bigger story of Scripture and our own shared story of faith. Ven Alastair McCollum, Rector

The Rector confesses problems with two words in the phrase 'Kingdom of Heaven' - but is happy with the 'of'. What might this strange, beautiful, expansive, challenging concept be? And why does Jesus persist in using it? Ven Alastair McCollum, Rector

On the occasion of three Ordinations to the Priesthood at St John's, The Rev'd Canon Dr Martin Brokenleg shares some thoughts on the nature of Presbyteral (priestly) calling and ministry, as a distinct service to the Church. And talks of what it means to 'be a priest forever after the order of Melchizadek.'