Thoughts on a Contemplative Reformation
At the Intersection of Contemplative Practice, Poetic Imagination, and Congregational Ministry
Christmas 2020 The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham Jesus said, “let the one who seeks not stop seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will be disturbed, and when he is disturbed he will be astonished and rule over all.” Gospel of Thomas, Saying 2 This Christmas is, to say the obvious, very unusual. But... Continue Reading →
Advent 1, 2020 The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham A Rupture, not a Rapture When I was probably around six years old, I spent the night at my grandparents house as I often did. I loved to sleep in the bedroom across the hall from my grandmother, because there were interesting things in there like a... Continue Reading →
A meditation on Psalm 123 The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham November 15, 2020 For this morning’s reflection, I offer this meditation on the 123rd Psalm. Of course, we keep in mind that the rotation or assignment of our Sunday readings have long been set in place. This is one of the brilliant things about our... Continue Reading →
Lavon was 19 years old when he married his sweetheart, Oreece in 1943, in the tense days of World War II. Not long after they married, he shipped out to Ft. Hood in Texas for basic training, along with his best friend, Norman. He and Norman had grown up together out in the country, and... Continue Reading →
(A sermon from October 11, 2020) Today’s sermon is a meditation on Psalm 23. I invite you to find a comfortable position to sit in. Take a moment to relax. You may want to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths before we begin, keeping your eyes closed and listening from your... Continue Reading →
The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham Proper 21, Year A Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Matthew 21:23-32 September 27, 2020 “Turn, then, and live” When I was a kid, there was a particular group in the community who we were suspicious of. As kids, we went to school with some of them, and some were even our teachers. ... Continue Reading →
Unleashed It feels like something has been unleashed in our world, something dark and primal that feeds on fear, pulling us apart like gravity dragging down a heavenly body. Powers and principalities, St. Paul called it. What has been unleashed has long seethed within us, since we first sat around fires and looked at another... Continue Reading →
Reality and the Cross A Sermon for the Feast of the Holy Cross September 13, 2020 The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham During these last few months, I have had the chance to go back through my library and pick out titles to read. It is interesting which books stand out to me now, which ones... Continue Reading →
The dead cardinal The thing about windows is that you don’t want them so clean that the birds can’t tell whether it’s an opening to a room to explore or the impending cause of their demise. I have seen some people place stickers of little butterflies there, but I think that’s a bit... Continue Reading →
Increase in us true religion Exodus 3:1-15; Matthew 16:21-28 August 30, 2020 Increase in us true religion. I’m not sure if you caught that line from today’s collect--or if it caught you, as it were--but I am always hooked by this phrase each year when this particular Sunday comes round. Increase in us true... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on a Contemplative Reformation 