5 Epiphany.B.21
Isaiah 40:21-31
The Rev. Melanie McCarley
“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Verse 31 of Chapter 40 of Isaiah is a magnificent piece of poetry. It is routinely sung in hymns such as “On Eagle’s Wings” and read from the lectern. Rarely does it fail to lift sagging spirits. It’s worth a closer look.
4 Epiphany.B.21(15)
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
The Rev. Melanie McCarley
Say what you will about Saint Paul—that the man was brash, uncompromising—verging, at times, on the obnoxious. In fact, in some quarters of the Christian establishment he’s become something of a pariah. All of this is true. However, there is also this, St. Paul was remarkably compassionate. That’s right, he was an apostle as quick to urge forbearance upon his newly established Christian communities as he was to speak in uncompromising terms about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Conversion of St. Paul.B.21
Acts 26:9-21
The Rev. Melanie McCarley
Today we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul, the namesake of our parish. In the first reading for this morning, Paul, speaking to King Agrippa, tells us the story of his undoing and remaking.