Journey of the Magi
January 6th, 2012
January 6 is the feast of the Epiphany in the Episcopal Church and in all liturgically minded churches. On this feast, we read and interpret Matthew's story (2:1-12) about strange visitors from the East who are led by a star to the baby Jesus. There are a lot of details we do not know or understand. We do not know if the star was a comet or something else. We actually ... View More »
Watching and Waiting: An Advent Thought
December 19th, 2011
The reading, music, and prayers of Advent usually have something to do with the twin themes of watching and waiting. John the Baptizer is a great Advent character because he watches and waits, especially as he states with confidence in John's Gospel that someone greater is on the horizon, the one who baptizes with fire not water. Mary figures prominently, as she watches and waits ... View More »
Sanctified Imagination: Remembering C. S. Lewis
November 22nd, 2011
November 22 is the anniversary of the death of C.S. Lewis in 1963, and it is the day he is remembered on the new liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church. Lewis was an academic and an author. His most famous books are perhaps those from the series The Chronicles of Narnia, beloved by both children and adults. The second book in the series, The Lion, the Witch, and the ... View More »
All Hallow's Eve: the Sacred and the Mundane
October 31st, 2011
I am a priest and a dad. I am also a Christian in the Episcopal tradition and an American. My life is a mixture of the great ideals and practices of faith alongside the reality of living in a culture that is not explicitly religious or pious. Sometimes, this mixture feels creative and balanced, sometime strange and out of sync. I really enjoy the balance my life needs, ... View More »
Angels & Intuition
September 29th, 2011
There are only four angels mentioned by name in the Bible. Of these four, the two most famous are Michael, who defeats the dragon in the Book of Revelation, and Gabriel, who speaks with Mary in Luke's Gospel. 'Angel' in the original language literally means 'messenger.' What about angels today? Do they still speak? Although the Bible never ... View More »
Reading the Bible Intelligently with Others
September 28th, 2011
This picture shows the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the Bishop of El Camino Real in California, Mary Gray-Reeves. They were together at a conference on women’s ministry hosted by the Archbishop. During the conference, the Archbishop made some comments about interpreting the Bible that are very important in light of questions about gender and whether or not women ... View More »
An Idea About Desire and God
July 14th, 2011
On July 19, the Church of England celebrates the lesser festival of Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, a Deaconess. These siblings (along with their brother, Basil of Ceasarea) were teachers and important leaders in the 4th century churches. Gregory of Nyssa was probably present at the Council of Constantinople in 381, which may have endorsed what we call the Nicene ... View More »
For the Good Use of Leisure
June 19th, 2011
I love summer for so many reasons. The change of pace is welcome. And the heat in Memphis, TN provides an excuse for summer refreshments! I am very lucky to have a job and a lifestyle that allow for such a change in pace. I know for so many people the summer only brings more heat with no more down time than any other season. View More »
God Does Not Dictate: Hearing the Word of God on the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11
May 18th, 2011
“There’s a rabbi on the sign at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, but he’s not Jesus,” I announced to my parishioners. He is Rabbi Micah Greenstein from Temple Israel in Memphis, whom we advertised on our sign because he was our guest in the Sunday Rector’s Forum during Lent this year. His lectures on a Jewish understanding of the New Testament are ... View More »
On the Death of Our Enemy in the Easter Season
May 4th, 2011
I am sure I am not the only American and Christian who in the last few days has felt different, even conflicting emotions. Upon hearing the news of Osama bin Laden's death, I felt relief. I hope his death signals the end of an organization that murdered the innocent and caused unspeakable pain for the United States. I give thanks for the women and men of our armed forces, ... View More »
Not One Poor Minute is a home for reflections on the mystery of God's presence in our lives, from morning to evening, from darkness to light.
The Rev. Richard Lawson was called as Rector of Grace-St. Luke's Church in May of 2010. He went to General Seminary in New York and to Sewanee and has degrees from both.
My God, thou art all I love, Not one poor minute escapes thy breast, But brings favor from above; And in this love, more than in bed, I rest.
- George Herbert
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