Life and Ministry of a Bishop!
The Rt. Rev. Jos Tharakan | XIV Bishop of Idaho
God of Grace, be our friend when we need one. Be a parent when we feel the absence of our parents and those who have stood in their place. In return, please give us the grace to be the friend and parent to the one who does not have one and needs one today. In…
God of love and compassion, we are passing through a season of mistrust of one another due to our political differences. Please help us understand that our moralizing worldviews could cause judgmentalism, fear, and mistrust of the other rather than a celebration of the diversity and richness that expands our attitudes and understanding. Open our…
Lord of love, you promised your disciples that you will send them a helper. The disciples waited in patience and on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon them as fire, giving energy, passion, and love for all things Godly. Give us the same grace as we are approaching the day of Pentecost….
God of love, thank you for teaching us that death doesn’t have the final word. Help us to roll away the rock that blocks the entryway to experience love, acceptance, kindness, and forgiveness. May we become transparent in everything we do, so that we truly become a vehicle of grace for others. Amen.
Celebrating a season of creativity. Here is my latest instrumental music. This creative activity keeps me centered and relaxed. It’s fun and enjoyable. Blessings to you who listen to this music.
God of love, when life seems uncertain and beyond our control, we believe it is not out of your control. What we can not imagine we can not plan for or take into our hands.
“Light is less something you see directly, and more something by which you see all other things.” Richard Rohr A few days ago I called a friend and a retired bishop to discuss something. I asked him how he was doing and said, “Jos, I am sleeping well. I get eight hours of sleep every…
God of love, this is a season of change. We have traveled through Advent to Christmas to Epiphany and now move towards Lent all in a matter of two months. Teach us to be graceful when we move fast through life that is unpredictable and uncertain. May we celebrate light as we move through Epiphany…
God of presence and perseverance, help us become aware of your presence with us in the dark moments of our lives. As we celebrate Epiphany, let us not to be afraid of darkness rather fill us with holy fear that makes us prudent in what we do and entrust unhealthy anxieties into your hands. When…
The life of a bishop is pulled into different directions at any given moment. We are expected to be balanced talking slowly, intentionally, carefully, and lovingly while being clear, precise, and concise. Good luck, right? Now I know why I received this one-line response from Bishop Larry Benfield when I wrote to him as a…