Author: Rev. Jeffrey Tooke

https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/advent-3a-when-god-breaks-in In our readings for this Third Sunday of Advent, we hear that John the Baptist is in prison. John’s disciples come to Jesus, hoping that he is the one John spoke of as the one who would come after him. Jesus does not confirm this for them directly. Instead, he tells John’s disciples, “Go Read more

https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/advent-1a-recognizing-the-wonder We begin the season of Advent and a new liturgical year this Sunday. Through Advent, we are reminded of the long history during which people waited for the coming of God among them, waiting for the justice and compassion foretold to become present here in their midst. We are not unlike our ancestors in Read more

Our readings at Trinity are Philippians 4:4-9, the poem “Things to Know When Waking” by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and Luke 23:33-43. Our readings invite us to recognize our present moment as a kind of exile and to choose the hard, hopeful work of building the Beloved Community that God has already chosen for us. https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/christ-the-king-chosen-by-god-we Read more

Our readings at St. Mark’s in North Tonawanda today are Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22; Psalm 86: 1-6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; and Luke 18:19-14. We examine our stance before God and one another as we prepare our hearts to stand rightly towards the coming Kingdom of God in today’s world. https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/proper-25c-standing-toward-the-kingdom Read more

Our readings today at Trinity Buffalo include Romans 12:1-18, a quote by Arlo Gunthrie, and Matthew 6:26-34. We explore that like Francis at San Damiano, we hear Christ’s call to rebuild the Church recognizing that to rebuild the Church is to live our baptism boldly, seeing the image of God in every person, resisting false Read more

Our readings today at St. Mark’s in North Tonawanda are Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; and Luke 16:19-31.  We explore today’s parable with the imagery of the Ghosts of Past, Present and Future calling us to name the marginalized at our gates and to live as a community of justice and compassion Read more

Our readings at Trinity Buffalo are Exodus 32: 7-14, the poem “Perfection, Perfection” by Killian McDonnell, OSB, and Luke 15:1-10. We explore our journey of faith as our search for God within the baptized community together and reflecting on how we can discern current events together within this community. https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/proper-19-the-god-who-searches-for Read more

Our readings at St. Mark’s in North Tonawanda are Isaiah 58:9b-14, Psalm 103: 1-8, Hebrews 12:18-29, and Luke 13:10-17. We explore what Jesus thought about healing on the Sabbath and what resting in God’s presence can mean for us today. https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/proper-16c-abiding-with-god-right Read more

Our readings today at Trinity Buffalo are Isaiah 5:1-7, the poem “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou, and Luke 12:49-56.  We explore what it means to read the signs of the times and to become all flame to bring love and justice into the world. https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/proper-15c-being-all-flame-reading Read more

Our readings today at Trinity Buffalo are Genesis 18:1-15, the poem “Practicing” by Julia Fehrenbacher, and Luke 10:38-42. We explore the revelation that true hospitality is not just about serving others, but about recognizing and receiving God’s presence, who continually seeks to dwell with us. https://sacredquest.substack.com/p/proper-11c-the-hospitality-of-god Image of Abraham and the Three Angels by Marc Read more