Fully Alive in God

  (the Episcopal Church, All Souls', and Nippon Sei Ko Kai's seals, stylized) I just spent the last few days in Okinawa, Japan. We flew out of Narita airport in Tokyo, which I admit I would have loved to linger in longer. It was full of wonderful shops, often including a cultural theme, not just your typical airport tchotchkes and snacks. There was a whole store for the fabric that is traditionally used to wrap gifts in Japan. I was grabbing a quick catch-up with Alene (important to catch her midday due to the time difference) as we waited to be able to check in.  Landing in Okinawa, I was first struck by the beautiful orchids everywhere in the airport, and when we ventured out, the heat! As we hailed a taxi and rode the approximately one-hour drive (in traffic) from Naha to Chatan. We drove part of the way along the water, and it was wonderful to connect with a part of the ocean so far away from home. We arrived at All Souls’ Parish Rectory just as the sun was setting. I was ...

  Greetings from Tokyo! Thank you to those who prayed for safe travels for my goddaughter and me as we flew to Japan - everything went very smoothly, including a smooth immigration and customs experience. I am grateful!  When we arrived to Tokyo and connected with my good friend Joanna, we headed to a Konbini (Convenience store) to get some snacks and grabbed the train to Tokyo proper (since Narita airport is in the outskirts). As we passed rice fields and saw some traditional looking Japanese buildings, I was entranced and could not help but think of the Miyazaki movies. We went through some more suburban neighborhoods and arrived right into downtown Tokyo. The Tokyo subway is impressive. So many people but also so orderly. It was a bit challenging navigating it with suitcases (for the way back we took a ride share).  The rental home is Magic themed, with strong influences from the Harry Potter franchise. While I do not support JK Rowling's point of view, I had to admit ...

Dear Friends, This week has been a helpful decompression time. I have been saddened by the loss of a long-time parishioner and also grateful that I was able to connect with his family before heading overseas. I have also been treasuring the memories of our conversations and gathering prayers for others and for them to carry with me as I journey next week. I have been focused on cleaning, packing and final trip planning all week. We took Zip, our dog, for a vet appointment and thankfully she is just fine. On Thursday, Alene and I got to go on a whale watching trip with Island Packers. This was especially fun, as her birthday whale watching trip was cancelled. We saw a Minky Whale, a sunfish (a bit hidden under the water), and several humpback whales, including one that was identified by a repeat whale watcher as one that had been seen by themselves before as a young whale! We also learned about several birds and saw many common dolphins frolicking with some sea lions, as well as a pod o...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard ( Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 )   Good morning! From today’s gospel reading: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it (Matthew 10:38-39).” Ah, Jesus. I thought following you was just about the peaceful life? Sometimes we wonder when we see passages like this one. Sometimes Jesus gets a bit punk rock, but it is mixed in with tenderness. In a few lines, we hear about Beelzebul, a demonic figure whom Jesus was compared to by those who misunderstood his ministry. Still, then we have the consolation that the hairs of our head are counted and that we are of more value than many sparrows, and then we hear him pulling out the meta...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Saints, Oxnard (Génesis 21:8-21; Salmo 86:1-10, 16-17; Romanos 6:1b-11; Mateo 10:24-39)   ¡Buenos días! De la lectura del Evangelio de hoy: »El que quiere a su padre o a su madre más que a mí, no merece ser mío; el que quiere a su hijo o a su hija más que a mí, no merece ser mío; y el que no toma su cruz y me sigue, no merece ser mío. El que trate de salvar su vida, la perderá, pero el que pierda su vida por causa mía, la salvará.» Mateo 10:38-39 Ay, Jesús. ¿Acaso seguirte no consistía simplemente en llevar una vida tranquila? A veces nos lo preguntamos al leer pasajes como este. Por momentos, Jesús adopta una actitud algo rebelde —casi al estilo *punk rock*—, pero siempre entremezclada con ternura. En apenas unas líneas, oímos hablar de Beelzebú —figura demoníaca con la que lo comparaban quienes malinterpretaban su ministerio—, pero luego recibimos el consuelo de saber que hasta los cabellos de nuestra cabeza están contados y que valemos...

  M. Campbell-Langdell All Santos, Oxnard ( Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1, 10-17; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8(9-23) ) On Sunday, while driving home from a parishioner’s birthday party, I committed what to many drivers is an unpardonable sin. I paused as I turned right to buy some flowers from a roadside vendor. The light was red, but turned green as I completed the transaction. No one honked, and the pause had to have been a matter of seconds, but apparently someone was upset, because before I knew it, a car careened around me from my left and crossed into the lane ahead of me, only for me to end up behind it at the intersection. Understandably, Monica, my passenger that day, was judging that driver a little bit. It reminded me of a cute thing Alene’s college roommate would say whenever anyone was driving like that. She would say, “Maybe she’s having a baby!” But seriously, it is easy for us to judge people in traffic: people who are going too slowly or those w...