Spiritual Journeys: Weekly Messages from St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Rev. Madeline challenges the common “Doubting Thomas” framing, arguing that Thomas’s skepticism after Jesus’ brutal crucifixion was reasonable and shared by other disciples, including Mary Magdalene and Peter. Drawing on Barbara Brown Taylor, she highlights how resurrection upends what seemed certain about death and power, making the disciples’ need for proof and understanding deeply human. She pr...

Mother Susan invites listeners to “walk with Jesus” through Holy Week, drawing on John’s Gospel and the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” Reflecting on the passion narrative written decades after Jesus’ death, she emphasizes that the crucifixion was not a surprise but the completion of Jesus’ steadfast mission amid the clash between Roman violent power and a covenant of love. She recounts...

Rev. Madeline reflects on Maundy Thursday readings from 1 Corinthians and John, highlighting Paul’s words of institution for the Lord’s Supper and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. She explains Paul’s correction of Corinthian abuses where the wealthy feasted while the poor went without, emphasizing the Eucharist as remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice and unity in the body of Christ. She describes foo...

Mother Paige explains why this Palm Sunday lingers on Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem instead of rushing from palms to Passion and Eucharist, arguing that “Hosanna” means “save us,” not simply praise. She describes the scene as street theater and protest: Jesus’ humble ride on a young donkey fulfills Zechariah’s image of a peaceful king contrasted with Rome’s simultaneous procession of warhorses an...

Jesus Wept: Grief, Divine Empathy, and New Life in LentMother Paige reflects on John’s account of the raising of Lazarus as a Lenten Gospel that reveals Jesus as fully human and fully divine and teaches about grief. She notes how the story reverses John’s usual pattern by placing extended discourse before the sign, highlighting Martha’s theology of resurrection and the sisters’ anger that Jesus di...

Father Frank Munoz, a San Diego Sheriff’s chaplain, recalls responding to a missing three-year-old who was later found asleep in an SUV, using the incident to illustrate human blind spots and the difficulty of seeing ourselves as God sees us. He connects this to the Gospel story of Jesus healing the man born blind, noting that the disciples and Pharisees miss the miracle’s meaning by focusing on b...

Rev. Madeline reflects on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, emphasizing how culturally transgressive it was for a Jewish leader to speak publicly with a woman—especially a Samaritan amid longstanding animosity between Jews and Samaritans—and noting the well’s scriptural associations and the disciples’ astonishment. She highlights that John’s Gospel frames the meeting as necess...

Mother Paige reflects on John 3:16 and God’s love for the whole world, paired with the call of Abram and Sarah to be blessed in order to bless every family on earth. She emphasizes that faith is an active verb shown in lived action, not merely intellect, doctrine, or a formulaic prayer, and that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness. Noting the broader context of Jesus’ conversation with...

Kathy Wilder, Executive Director of Camp Stevens, thanks St. Peter’s for ongoing support and shares a story from the 2007 Camp Stevens fire, including meeting a firefighter who had once been a camper through a foster care partnership and whose experience at camp helped shape her life and career after incarceration. Wilder connects the story to Jesus’ wilderness temptations, framing the temptations...

Rev. Madeline Polhill reflects on Jesus’ Transfiguration and Moses’ mountaintop encounter with God as moments of divine mystery and glory. Rather than explaining the spectacle, she focuses on what follows: the disciples’ fear and Jesus’ gentle reassurance, “Get up and do not be afraid,” connecting it to repeated “do not be afraid” moments throughout Matthew’s Gospel. She emphasizes that Jesus lead...

In this Sunday sermon, Mother Paige reflects on the teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on the message of 'Stay Salty, Be Bright,' derived from the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. She emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus' words about being 'the salt of the earth' and 'the light of the world.' The sermon encourages living out these virtues by al...

Mother Susan discusses the tradition of presenting Jesus at the temple, the symbols of light and purity, and the roles of Mary and Joseph as faithful parents. The sermon also touches on the importance of senior witnesses like Simeon and Anna, who recognized Jesus as the light for revelation. Mother Susan encourages the community to embody the light of Christ in their lives and reflects on the coll...

In this sermon, guest speaker David M. Bailey from Richmond, Virginia, discusses the importance of unity within the Christian community amid contemporary divisions and conflicts. Drawing from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, Bailey emphasizes the need for Christians to look beyond human wisdom and cultural differences. He stresses the significance of the cross of Christ as a symbol of ultimat...

Rev. Madeline Polhill discusses the significance of epiphanies during the season after Epiphany, focusing on John the Baptist recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. The sermon delves into Jesus being identified as the 'Lamb of God,' exploring the implications of this metaphor and how it contrasts with worldly notions of power. Rev. Polhill emphasizes Jesus' role in transforming the world th...

In this sermon, Mother Paige reflects on the significance of the Baptism of Jesus and its implications for us. On the feast of the Baptism of our Lord, she discusses Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist and why, despite being sinless, Jesus submitted to a baptism of repentance. This act is presented as a model for vulnerability, surrender, and alignment with God. Mother Paige encourages us to se...

In this sermon, Madeline Polhill reflects on the biblical story of the magi, who followed a star to find and pay homage to the Christ Child. The tale involves themes of wonder, anxiety, and joy, highlighting the magi's journey from the East and their unexpected arrival in Bethlehem. By understanding the signs from God and allowing themselves to be guided by divine light, the magi exemplify fai...

Mother Paige delivers a sermon reflecting on the prologue to John's Gospel, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's love through the incarnation. She recaps previous sermons on the origins of Jesus as depicted by different gospel writers and delves into the profound understanding that God's intention is to be in relationship with humanity. Highlighting the enduring light of Jesus that...

In this Christmas sermon, Mother Paige discusses the significance of Christmas morning, emphasizing the sense of relief and joy symbolized by the birds' songs after a storm. She reflects on the different Gospel writers' perspectives on Jesus' origin story, with a focus on John’s profound prologue that links Jesus to the very beginning of creation. Mother Paige underscores the message o...

In her Christmas Eve sermon, Mother Paige reflects on the eternal nature of God's love, framed by the story of Jesus as told by different gospel writers. She emphasizes the theme of 'in the beginning' from both Genesis and John's Gospel, highlighting humanity's separation from God and God's unwavering love through the Word made flesh in Jesus. Mother Paige encourages the co...

In this Christmas Eve sermon, Madeline Polhill reflects on the significance of God coming to us as a human and being present in our lives. Through the story of Jesus' birth in a humble and messy environment, she emphasizes the offer of peace and joy that God brings into the chaos of our world. Madeline highlights the continuous presence of God offering hope and peace amidst the pain and suffer...

Mother Susan delivers a sermon on the fourth Sunday of Advent, emphasizing the importance of preparation and contemplation during the Advent season. She reflects on the significance of living in a time of dissonance and the need to practice restraint as Christmas approaches. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, she highlights the story of Joseph and Mary, exploring their roles in th...

This episode explores the profound difference between happiness and joy within a Christian context. It begins with a reference to 'Wicked For Good Part Two,' using it as a springboard to discuss how happiness is situational while joy is rooted in the transformative journey with God. The sermon delves into Biblical passages, particularly from Isaiah, Psalms, and James, to illustrate the tra...

In this sermon delivered by Madeline Polhill at St. Peter's, the message delves into the transformative power of Advent and the call to 'bear fruit worthy of repentance.' Drawing insights from John the Baptist's bold proclamations and the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, Madeline emphasizes the importance of personal transformation and aligning our lives with God’s love...

In this inspiring sermon, Mother Paige of St. Peter's Church in Del Mar, California, welcomes us to the season of Advent and emphasizes the importance of 'waking up' in the Christian faith. Drawing from Apostle Paul's message and readings from Isaiah and Matthew, she delves into the true meaning of apocalyptic literature and challenges common misinterpretations. With a focus on per...

In this sermon, Deacon Pete reflects on the gospel reading of Jesus's crucifixion alongside the two thieves. He explores how these two thieves holds up a mirror to different aspects of human nature—selfishness and selflessness. He emphasizes understanding Jesus's final interaction with the second thief, who recognizes Jesus's innocence and asks to be remembered in His kingdom. The mess...