I woke up. I woke up. I woke up. The transition from sleep to engagement with the world was difficult. I felt terrible. This was only to be my fourth day on my pilgrimage. How would I survive? I prayed and started to force my bones to move. Still moving slowly, I met a group of people to walk down the middle of College Station and Bryan with me. We talked about the death penalty. The weather transformed... Read more
I was not too far over the Brazos County line when a Sheriff’s Deputy rolled up. Jumping out of the car, the Deputy started a line of call and response with me, “Where are you going?” “To Austin” “Walking?” “Yes, I am walking from Livingston to Austin in protest of the death penalty.” “Ok…” Then another officer pulled up and jumped out of the car. “Can we take a look at your license? We just want to make sure that... Read more
Sleeping is not easy when you are not on a bed. We take our rest for granted. Homelessness is a pervasive problem in our world. We do violence everyday when we don’t consider the sleepless nights of others. I spent the first few waking hours of my second day on pilgrimage walking against the death penalty and thinking about homelessness. To say that it was hot on my pilgrimage is like saying that Antarctica is cold. My body consistently... Read more
Roads comfort me. I often find myself on bright days and dark nights between strips of white and yellow paint. When I meet him, I often wonder who he is and what he has done with my self. The confusion lets me know that I am still alive and perhaps growing in my humanity. There is something comforting about being reminded that we are still alive. This is a story about roads and life. My heart was full. My heart... Read more
Community leaders of the day stood with their stones ready. The law said that the woman caught in adultery was to be killed. Everyone looked up to see what Jesus would do. Joining the woman in the dirt, Jesus used his body to save her. Without the body of Jesus, the woman would have perished. I seek to emulate Jesus. Community leaders of our day here in Texas and around the country stand with their stones ready for another execution.... Read more
adapted transcription below full video at https://www2.cathedralofhope.com/worship/2014-worship/123-2014-june/2720-june-04-sermon What a powerful thing to be standing before you tonight. My story is convoluted and strange. The first time I took communion from someone I knew was openly gay…was from Rev. Mike Piazza when he visited Emory University and I was a student there. That was a real special moment for me…a moment of real transformation. I know y’all are pretty used to it here at the Cathedral…but for me it was... Read more
I don’t know if Richard Martinez is a person of faith. I only know that Martinez has had a profound impact on my faith. From his bold denouncement of a political culture that simply will not limit access to guns after his son Christopher was killed at the University of California, Santa Barbara to his meeting with Peter Rodger (the father of his son’s killer, Elliot Rodger), Richard Martinez has been the incarnation of love at incredibly difficult hours and... Read more
Judas gave Jesus a kiss. Peter knew what was going on and tossed Jesus an assault rifle. Jesus proceeded to mow down all of those who persecuted him. The rampage lasted through the night and Jesus hung all of his victims on crosses for the entire world to see. When the sun arose, there were all the enemies of Jesus hanging there together. Jesus stood proudly next to his victims and held his beloved assault rifle high above his... Read more
I turned the corner after hearing her speak and there she was. I shouted out, “Dr. Angelou…It’s me…Jeff.” Dr. Maya Angelou didn’t know who I was and I have no idea why I thought it would be a good idea to call out to her like we were old friends. Regardless of my buffoonery, Dr. Angelou turned around and clasped my hand. We locked eyes for a few seconds as we talked about our faith. I will never forget those... Read more
A United States soldier processed the flag of the United States of America in to our sanctuary as we stood at attention singing “God Bless America.” The veterans in our midst were honored as we sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” proceeded the pastor’s fiery sermon on the coming destruction of our beloved nation if we “…did not turn from our wicked ways.” Somehow gays, abortion and popular culture always made it into these... Read more
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