St Thomas

First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord, Year C, January 13, 2019 Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29 Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 St Thomas the Apostle The Rev’d Leo Loyola I can make a claim that most of you can’t. I was baptized twice in my life. The first time happened when I was barely three months. I obviously don’t remember anything about it. But I do remember the second time quite well. It was a Saturday afternoon at a beach in Waikiki. My church friends huddled around me, as we prayed and sang. My college roommate Cord who had been discipling me for months led me through the crystal-blue waves. He stopped, and asked me again, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I said “Yes, let’s do this!” I pinched my nose and contorted my face, as my roommate dunked me back-first into the cool…

First Sunday after Christmas, December 30, 2018 Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 147 Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18 St Thomas the Apostle The Rev’d Leo Loyola Recently I got a new car. You can’t miss it. It’s the very, very bright yellow Jeep Renegade in our parking lot. Since getting it, I’ve heard two basic comments. The first is something most new car owners expect to hear: “Wow, what a nice car!” The second, most don’t. I know I didn’t, when asked “Did you want yellow?” On the surface, the comment seems to stem from curiosity: Was this your only choice at the dealership? Did Melody want you to get yellow? But, of course, I know better. I know sarcasm when I hear it. What they’re really saying is, “What an ugly color. I would have gotten it in black or white or red.” The truth is I absolutely wanted my yellow…