Father Ed explores René Girard’s mimetic theory—how we unconsciously learn what to desire through imitation. Drawing on gospel examples like John the Baptist’s death and Pilate, he suggests Jesus repeatedly helps listeners recognize their unwitting participation in violence. This Sunday’s gospel shows Peter spectacularly illustrating this mimetic contagion. Father Ed invites us to examine how we’re unknowingly directed toward violence, subtle or overt.

This week our associate rector, Father Ed, reflects on late summer’s quieter rhythm in the city and the subtle shifts in energy he observes while making pastoral calls. He contrasts the effects of anxiety-inducing news cycles with the neurological benefits of worship and faith community—the oxytocin and endorphins that come from fellowship. He encourages us to keep returning to church, trusting that our shared spiritual practice sustains hope.