Musings on Faith

In this homily, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor says that for me, there are two categories of Saints.  The first category is the larger-than-life Saints, pillars of the Christian faith, that we have heard of most of our lives – St. Paul, St. Luke, St. John, St. Mother Teresa, St. Francis, and others.  Then there are the Saints that are not known to all the world. They are everyday people an...

In this homily, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, states “I believe that Zacchaeus got a big boost because he experienced acceptance and love from Jesus. He learned and knew the gift of love. For the first time in his life, Zaccheus wasn’t judged or labeled. His self-esteem "grew" at that moment. He also experienced forgiveness. He may have been hated and despise...

In this homily, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us that it’s not easy to step out in faith especially when it’s risky, uncertain, or during a hurricane. There are times when we are challenged to live in faith, but we hold back or say to ourselves, “Let someone else do it.”  I believe that Jesus was encouraging the disciples to take little steps of fa...

In this homily The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church,  tells us that in today's Gospel, Jesus was telling the disciples, both then and us today, that we have everything we need that is necessary for salvation. We have the word of God through Moses and the prophets, and we have Jesus Christ, who modeled a life of love, compassion, and mercy. We know we are to “lov...

In this homily, the Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, states that the peace of the Gospel is not the same as the offering of the world. The Gospel asks us to follow the love of God by faith, in community, and through discipleship.  We do this so we can deal with the concerns, problems, and pettiness of life in a Holy Way. Email comments to musingsonfaith@gmail.c...

The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us in this homily that Luke's gospel asks us to reverse our values and develop new understandings. Those who are blessed are those who are willing to humble themselves before the Lord and choose the lesser seats. It is a story that reminds us that as a church we are to reach out to others and welcome those who are different...

On this Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us that by setting apart time for God and God alone, our prayers can only become unceasing when all our thoughts—beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful—can be received in the presence of God who surrounds us. By doing this, we move into a God-centered d...

On this Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church,  expounds on the Gospel for today that says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  God expects from us a harvest that is created by the Holy Spirit. May we always be people of compassion,...

On this Trinity Sunday, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, says let us join whole heartily in songs of praise to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And let us give thanks that this Triune God is united as three in one and loves us more than we can pray for or imagine.  Let us savor a God who offers us the very best mystery of all, a love th...

On this Pentecost Sunday, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us that Pentecost, this great Holy moment we celebrate today, tells of when the Holy Spirit filled all those gathered – people whose homelands challenge the pronunciation skills of the best of readers. They spoke in their own voices and languages while hearing with one ear. And all people were put...

In this homily the Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church,  tells us that this Gospel passage calls us to set ourselves apart for God’s purposes in the world. We hear that setting apart in our baptismal rites and Post-Communion prayer, as we join a new family with an amazing responsibility. The purpose of the Gospel message is not that we would withdraw from society i...

On this Sixth Sunday of Easter, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us that today, Jesus calls us to remember that he gives to us not as the world gives. Let not our hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. He is indeed preparing for a journey. Soon, he will return to God. But he leaves behind the Holy Spirit. It is time for us to prepare for our own journey...

In his final homily to St. George before becoming Priest-in-Charge at Holy Spirit, Apopka, The Rev. Ed Bartle expounds on the message of love that Jesus brought to the world. This “eleventh” commandment – to love one another- was exhibited through Chris’s teachings and his relationship with his disciples and followers. The word “love’ is found more than 500 times in the Bible and is key to a Chris...

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, encourages that as we continue our journey through this season of Easter, let us dedicate ourselves to the task of reading Jesus’ word in Holy Scripture, worshipping regularly, saying our prayers daily, looking for God’s calling, and hearing God’s voice to act as servants of Christ. Send comments...

On this Third Sunday after Easter, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, says he believes that when Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat he was challenging them to break away from what they knew and try something different. Following Jesus means often venturing into unchartered waters, going where we’ve never been, expanding our h...

In his Easter Sunday homily, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, says that this Easter season we are on sure footing because God has provided a strong and steady branch for us to land in Jesus Christ. God rolls back the stones that bind and confine us. God stands waiting with a familiar voice to call us to new life. Jesus is beckoning us, “Follow me” .  We onl...

In this Palm Sunday homily, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, explains that Jesus who has risen says “that hope is not lost, and that Death is not greater than God, nor greater than the love of God and not greater than the power of the Holy Spirit. This coming Holy Week empty yourself before Christ. Give him all your concerns and struggles. Be filled with the lov...

In this homily on the Fifth Sunday in Lent and “Outreach Sunday” at St. George, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us that pressing on with Jesus is the only way to be right with God. A God who came among us gently, lived wonderfully, taught truthfully, died violently, has risen triumphantly, empowers generously and remains our companion steadfastly. No word...

In this homily on the Third Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, says that if we are to bear fruit as the gardener wanted the fig tree to be fruitful, we need to spend time tending to the soil in which we root our lives.  Lent is a season for digging around in the roots of our souls in order to prepare for the mystery of new life that awaits in...

On this Second Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, says that as we look at our scripture lessons for today, they have a distinctive theme. Paul is talking to the church at Philippi about a similar thing: he cautions them not to be seduced by promises of an easier way to live when following the Word of God.  The Word of God is an invitation...

On this First Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church,  tells us that in today's gospel, Jesus demonstrated that we need to have faith .  Jesus obviously had faith. He was familiar with the scriptures, the lessons of the prophets, and the guiding principles of God. Each time Jesus was tempted by the devil He countered that temptation by referri...

In this homily given on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, says we can’t experience oneness or closeness with God unless we are listening.  When we are truly hearing God’s voice or we are experiencing God’s awesome presence, we discover a power that defies logic. Being with Gog completely overwhelms us as we become one with...

In this homily given by The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church on the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany,  Fr. Jim states that there has been a consistent theme in our scripture readings and collects for Epiphany the last several weeks. This theme is that the Epiphany season manifests Jesus' divine nature to the world. This consistent theme began with a bright star...

In this homily on the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church says: One thing Jesus says in this teaching from the gospel of Luke has a real season of Epiphany insight: “Put out into the deep water.” Think about that for a moment. “Put out into the deep water.”  When we are feeling inundated by the complications of life or are climb...

On the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, The Rev. Dr. James E. Taylor, Rector of St. George Episcopal Church, tells us that the Church as the body of Christ, as Christ living in the world, has a mission.  The Church is called to be a witness for the love and blessing of God made visible in Jesus. Part of the essence of being the Church is being a living witness for Christ in the world through...