Reflections

May 29, 2020 Jesus said: "I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have…

May 22, 2020 Hello friends, Since moving back to Massachusetts six years ago, I have developed a sacred ritual.  Each year, late in May, I pack up a rake and a trash bag, a bucket and a scrub brush, and make the drive out to Bedford.  There I spend some quiet time tidying up the…

May 15, 2020 Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he…

May 8, 2020 Dear People of the Diocese of Massachusetts, I want to speak with you about sacramental hunger and eucharistic practice. The lengthening duration of church closures has made increasingly painful for all of us the accompanying fast from holy communion. I want to assure you that your…

May 1, 2020 As the deer longs for the water-brooks,     so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God;     when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? ...I pour out my soul when I think on these things;     how I…

April 25, 2020 My Holy Week journey was out of sync.  In order to prepare our videotaped Easter Day celebration at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, my Easter sermon had to be written and delivered fully 10 days ahead.  I centered my mind and heart in the astonishing revelation of…

April 17, 2020 Does being a Christian make a difference?  Why should I believe?  Not surprisingly in a culture concerned with both appearance and results, these are questions seeking answers.  The bottom line?  What’s in it for me?  We struggle for answers, as a defense of…

This Easter message from Bishop Alan M. Gates was preached during the special filmed service for Easter Day, April 12, 2020, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. In these days of Sheltering-in-Place and Working-at-Home, a recent Twitter post told the following tale: My 5yo stormed out…

The following message was shared by Bishop Alan M. Gates with clergy gathered online on Holy Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Good morning, my colleagues and friends.  It is good to be gathered, even in this unaccustomed and virtual way.  It is good to catch a glimpse of one another – and to…

April 3, 2020 These are the times that try our souls.           - Paraphrase of Thomas Paine quote Guide My Feet Lord, while I run this race,  For I don’t want to run this race in vain           - Black Spiritual Often in times like…