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4 th Sunday after Easter Gospel - John 10:1-10 The Shepherd’s Voice Heiskell, TN We all know what it’s like to get that phone call in the middle of the night. This night’s call was no different. Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on the red illuminated numbers of my clock. Midnight! Panicky thoughts filled my sleep-dazed mind as I grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”   My heart pounded; I gripped the phone tighter and eyed my wife, who was now turning to face my side of the bed.   “Daddy?” I could hardly hear the whisper over the static. But my thoughts immediately went to my daughter. When the desperate sound of a young crying voice became clearer on the line, I grabbed for my wife and squeezed her wrist. “Daddy, I know it’s late, but don’t…don’t say anything, until I finish. And before you ask, yes, I’ve been drinking. I nearly ran off the road a few miles back, and…” I drew in a sharp shallow breath, released my wife and pressed my hand against my forehead. Sl...
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  Saturday Feast of St. Mark Gospel– Mark 16:15-20 You’re Hired! Chapel of the Ascension We take a brief pause today during the Season of Easter to celebrate the Feast of St. Mark, Apostle and Evangelist.   What we hear in today’s Gospel is the very end of the story according to Mark – the Ascension.   Rather curious actually, since we still have a long way to go before we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. There is a story I recall many decades ago about a Christian missionary who went and lived with an isolated tribe in Africa.   For 2 years, he lived with them, worked with them, instructed them and guided them in the Christian faith.   At the end of 2 years, a good number of them were baptized.   And at the end of the ritual, he got up and told them “I have finished my last instruction in your village.   I will never come back to teach anyone else here.   From this day on, it is you people who must teach and judge whether anyone is r...
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  Friday 3 rd Week of Easter Gospel – John 6:52-58 The “Ring” of Truth Chapel of Tears, Jerusalem I wear 2 rings on my fingers.   One, of course, is my wedding ring, celebrating (as of yesterday) 50 years of marriage to Ginger.   And the other is a high school class ring.   But it’s not mine; it’s my Dad’s! His high school senior ring from 1939.   I never even knew he had a class ring until, unfortunately, the week after he passed away 20 years ago.   I found it as we were sorting through his jewelry, and I immediately put it on my finger and have worn it every day since. It's a constant reminder to me of my dad, our relationship and all the memories I have of him.   It gives me a feeling that my dad is still here with me, guiding me and encouraging me. But in the end, this ring is not my dad.   It’s just a reminder, a symbol of our relationship, a holder of all my father/son memories of the past.   But it’s not the same as having hi...
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