Beloved Community Initiative Episcopal Diocese PGH

10/31/2025

Here is a sermon I preached on Absalom Jones day: "The thirsty widow"

08/14/2025

02/06/2024

12/15/2022

Advent Devotional December 14, 2022
The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh

Read: Isaiah 9:8-17 NRSV
The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it fell on Israel; and all the people knew it—Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—but in pride and arrogance of heart they said: “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.” So the Lord raised adversaries against them, and stirred up their enemies, the Arameans on the east and the Philistines on the west, and they devoured Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still. The people did not turn to him who struck them, or seek the Lord of hosts. So the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one day—elders and dignitaries are the head, and prophets who teach lies are the tail; for those who led this people led them astray, and those who were led by them were left in confusion. That is why the Lord did not have pity on their young people, or compassion on their orphans and widows; for everyone was godless and an evildoer, and every mouth spoke folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, his hand is stretched out still.

Reflection
Can someone tell me how it is that nations that claim to be connected to Judeo-Christian theologies, philosophies, ideologies, or the like are oppressive? We arrive at chapter 9 of Isaiah, and we have seen nothing but warning against those who turn from the Lord and the desire for his creation and Beloved Community. Many people ask me why I preach social justice so much. I preach what I read. Scriptures seem to speak to oppression, warning of sin and promise of deliverance. What shall we say when the truth is before us at least every Sunday and we cannot see that we as a nation are astray? How do we look at our nation with a sense of exceptionalism? Or have we divorced ourselves from the notion that we are led by a moral compass rooted in the bible? The leaders and church are mistrusted by the people alike. However, what excuse do we have to be godless? I remember as a kid not wanting to upset my father ever! I did however nonetheless take a wrong turn. I had to face the music, but never did I think that I did not have to reconcile with my dad! What a grave mistake to turn from God, be chastised by Him and then double down and believe life can be enjoyed without Him and against his desire for his creation? Will His hand be stretched out to destroy us when He comes? Is there an ‘us’ that will find an outstretched hand of God that is one of rescue? Oh, and here is a question, are we what we see on TV, social media and the like. Or are we better than that?

Respond
Blessed Lord, who moved every scribe that penned our scriptures to write, that we might rehearse our history and learn from it. Help us to see beyond and through the lead walls of society and see your divine design. Help us through your grace to desire what you desire and be your hands and feet to make Beloved Community happen. Withhold your outstretched hand of wrath long enough to hear you voice and want what you want, through your Son Jesus Christ who with you and the Holy Spirit rest, rule and abide, One God, now and forever. Amen

12/14/2022

Advent Devotional December 13, 2022
The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh


Read: Isaiah 9:1-7 NRSV
There will be no gloom for those who are in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Reflect
Every time I read or hear the litany of names above, I just want to continue the accolades. I bow to Him when I praise Him! He is my fortress – I bow down. He is my refuge – I bow down. He is my rock – I bow down. He is my shield – I bow down. He is my victory – I bow down. Who am I that he should love me? – I bow down. Who am I that he should heal me? – I bow down. Who am I that he should have mercy? – I bow down. Who am I that he should die for me? – I bow down. Who am I that he should save me? – I bow down. He’s my hope – I bow down. He’s my peace – I bow down. He’s my provider – I bow down. He’s my healer – I bow down. He’s my redeemer – I bow down. He is the light of the world – I bow down. He is the bright and morning star – I bow down. He is the lion of Judah – I bow down. He is the way, the truth, the life – I bow down. He is the Alpha and Omega – I bow down. He is the Author and Finisher of my faith – I bow down. He is the Anointed one – I bow down. He is God’s only begotten Son - I bow down. And unto us, He is given to us! And with Him comes endless peace! Until he comes again, I bow down to worship Him and to pray for His return and the Beloved Community He brings with Him. I can’t wait, and yet I do, for the forevermore!

Respond
Because of whom you already are and have always been we praise you Lord God Almighty. Remind us to bend the knee only to you and to no other. We beseech you to shine your light on us and increase our joy in you. Break the yoke that we may rejoice without burden, but even and until then we bow, and we praise you for what you have done and for what you promise to do, through your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit rest, rule and abide for ever and ever. Amen

12/12/2022

Advent Devotional December 12, 2022
The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh

Read: Isaiah 8:16—9:1 NRSV

Bind up the testimony, seal the teaching among my disciples. I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. See, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. Now if people say to you, “Consult the ghosts and the familiar spirits that chirp and mutter; should not a people consult their gods, the dead on behalf of the living, for teaching and for instruction?” Surely, those who speak like this will have no dawn! They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry; when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will curse their king and their gods. They will turn their faces upward, or they will look to the earth, but will see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust into thick darkness. But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

Reflect
O come; O come Emmanuel! God with us Come! O that we wait for the latter time. How long shall the testimony be bound up? How long will the teaching among your disciples be sealed? I long for the day when those who have other gods no longer rule this world. The earth is truly in distress. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, and the earth continues to be consumed at alarming rates. When will the dawn actually come for us who await the appearing of our Savior? How shall we be in the meantime; Until you come Jesus? What do we do in the middle of our bad week, month or year, decade, or generation? We know that God promises the end of the evil and darkness but when will it come? When will we finally see the manifestation of Beloved Community? When will we see the fruit of the Kingdom of God at hand? When will the lions be satisfied with eating vegetation and happy to lay next to the lamb without the desire to devour their neighbor? Until then, what do we do? I hear the words of James 5:7, “Be patient, therefore…” I hear the Lord say, I need the children the Lord has given me to exercise patience. In the middle of your storm; patience. In the middle of your valley; patience. In the middle of your fire have an attitude of patience. Your attitude ought to be one that is anticipating, waiting on a God that they know! Act like you know the God that promises. Act like you know the God that is faithful. Act like you are waiting for the God you know that brings with Him peace, joy, mercy, grace, love and eternal life and light; an end to this darkness! Live like this is not all there is, and the best is yet to come! That is Advent!

Respond
Stir up in us an attitude of patience O Lord! Send us such an awareness of your presence that we know that you are with us anointing us with a Spirit of endurance. O come Emmanuel to the places we live to be an anticipating sign and portent of heaven that all of creation comes along side us looking to you and no other god as witnesses for the coming dawn. Raise up in us your Galilee of the nations. Stir up in us a zeal for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit reign forever and ever. Amen

12/06/2022

Advent Devotional December 6, 2022
The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh

Read: Isaiah 5:13-17,24-25 NRSV
My people go into exile without knowledge; their nobles are dying of hunger, and their multitude is parched with thirst. Therefore, Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure; the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude go down, her throng and all who exult in her. People are bowed down, everyone is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are humbled. But the Lord of hosts is exalted by justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy by righteousness. Then the lambs shall graze as in their pasture, fatlings and kids shall feed among the ruins. Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will become rotten, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the Lord of hosts and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore, the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them; the mountains quaked, and their corpses were like refuse in the streets. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.

Reflect
Isaiah says the people are bowed down. I remember the times I got into trouble with my parents. Those times weren’t often but I had my share of rejecting what they warned me about. I learned that much of the warning was connected to my safety. Often my parents would warn me against dangers that I was unable to see or imagine. The funny thing is that I would have to suffer what they warned me against and if I survived it, would then have to suffer their wrath for disobeying which really was merely my rejection of their authority and parenting. Truly those were humbling moments in my life. My rejection was also an act of telling them and the world that I knew better. Not! My despising their words for me was despising my best future.

So what about this world we live in? God created it and designed his creation to maximize the abundance of life and joy by obeying his design for beloved community. God asks us to live humbly, love one another, refrain from oppressing others, dehumanizing others, and marginalizing others. What we do not realize is that when we create systems and structures that benefit only a few despise the word of the Holy One of Israel. We also, reject our best future. Even if we do not immediately reap what we sew, we will eventually fall from our haughtiness. God has promised us that in his word. We will likely then suffer his wrath to boot.
So why don’t we just heed His word now, build Beloved Community now, love one another now? We still have time. That is my hope, that is my ministry! Go tell it on the mountain, the one that is not quaking yet, that with God comes justice but grace often precedes it. Let’s shut Sheol’s mouth while God is speaking to us!

Respond
Merciful God, who sent your prophets to warn us of the advent of your wrath. Give us the grace to humble ourselves before you humble us, for us! Give us the desire to admit we sin and repent of it, that we might anticipate with excitement and rejoicing of the coming of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

12/01/2022

Advent Devotional December 1, 2022
The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh

Read: Isaiah 2:12-22 NRSV
The Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up and high; against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan; against all the high mountains, and against all the lofty hills; against every high tower, and against every fortified wall; against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft. The haughtiness of people shall be humbled, and the pride of everyone shall be brought low; and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. The idols shall utterly pass away. Enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. On that day people will throw away to the moles and to the bats their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts in the crags, from the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. Turn away from mortals, who have only breath in their nostrils, for of what account are they?

Reflect
Sometimes when I pray, I wonder to the Lord, was I born with your day already against me Lord? I wonder why they hate me before ever meeting me. Why is it harder for me? Why did I have to wear hand me downs my whole life? Why was I national honor society my whole life and yet it took 24 years to obtain an undergraduate degree? Why was I pulled over so many times for no other reason than the color of my skin? Why have I had to endure so much, even in the church, because of my birth color? Why have I suffered so much terror? I pray, is this terror ultimately from you Lord? I’ve lived in what felt like community crags and clefts. Have I descended from the haughty and prideful that I should be born into lowliness? I pray when will we see your Beloved Community? When will it come Lord?

…and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day... Is that the day we all are on the same playing field? Is it then we will be equal? Is it then we get Beloved Community? Will their humbling get them to the place where they finally love me? Will they ever love you, Lord? Despite what I have been through, I love your Lord! I want what you want for all of us. I pray that when the day ‘comes against’ that it is a day that produces love for all of us, in all of us! The advent of that day makes me shudder but hopeful for whatever else is coming.

Respond
Lord God our heavenly Father, you are full of grace. We pray that you illumine the idols in our lives that we may purge them before your wrath comes. We pray that before you knock us off our pedestals, where we are high and lifted up, that we voluntarily step down ourselves and repair relationships and build Beloved Community, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

11/30/2022

Advent Devotional November 30, 2022
The Rev. Canon Eric McIntosh

Read: Isaiah 49:1-6 NRSV
Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb, he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.” And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength—he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Reflect
While I was in my mother’s womb, he named me and formed me in the womb to be his servant. Advent and birth have me preoccupied with the womb verses. I remember as a child wondering why my twin and I had no middle names. My three other brothers and two sisters all have middle names. My parents did not actually have a reason other than since we were twins and they were running out of names for us since there were two, they left middle names out. My parents never gave us the story of how they chose the names we do have either. Don’t feel bad for us, I have found out in my adulthood what our names mean. First our names, my name is Eric McIntosh, and my brother is Chris. He is adamant that his birth certificate only has Chris and not Christopher. Anyhow, his name means bearer of Christ. My name is Nordic and means ‘forever’ or ‘eternal’ ruler. Our last name, McIntosh, is Scottish/Welsh and means son of the chieftain (King). So, then my name is Eternal Ruler son of the King! Well, who needs a middle name after that? (Laughing at myself)

I am an African American man with a Nordic first name and a Scottish last. Did God name me in my mother’s womb? I reflect on having no roots or records of the rock of which I was hewn, no passed down legacy of where we are from. Africa is a continent and not a country thus no known nationality for me! But maybe, in being robbed of that I can find some solace that in my mother’s womb I still have a family history with our creator. With that history and belonging I have a purpose. I attach myself to the call of Israel to be a light to the nations, even the unknown nation of my origin.

Funny thing is that to this very day, when I see people that knew my twin and I as kids, they call me Chris. Twin confusion I guess, even though we look nothing alike. I often wonder if anyone ever calls him Eric? I don’t think so, at least he has never told me. Alas, I am forever Chris to many. I’ll share that name too. After all I am a bearer of Christ and will indeed be a willing arrow in God’s quiver.

Respond
Father Almighty who has named me in my mother’s womb and formed me to be your servant. Use us Lord to make your salvation known to the ends of the earth. Use us whom you have formed to midwife beloved community and give birth to new life in our corners of this dying world. Shine your light that those around us might be saved by the gaze of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, eternally rules. Amen