Holy Saturday is an in between day. It’s the day after Good Friday and the day before Easter. What was is no longer and what will be is not yet. If Good Friday is the day of the loss, Holy Saturday is that day when the reality of the loss begins to set in. And I’ll bet you know what that’s like. Continue reading Not Sorrowing As Those Without Hope – A Holy Saturday Sermon On John 19:38-42
Good Friday – John 18:1-19:42 What about your death gives meaning to your life today? In what ways is death inviting you to live more fully, to connect more deeply with others, to love more freely and completely? My stomach is churning even as I ask you those questions. I don’t want to face my death any more than you want to face yours. And … Continue reading Life In The Shadow Of The Cross – A Good Friday Sermon
Maundy Thursday – John 13:1-17, 31-35 The last couple of days I’ve been thinking of previous Maundy Thursdays and previous foot washings. There are no feet to wash tonight but I think there’s something to be learned from that. One of the things that struck me as I thought about this night and this liturgy is that Maundy Thursday just might be the original … Continue reading Let’s Never Stop Loving – A Maundy Thursday Sermon On John 13:1-7, 31-35
Palm Sunday – Matthew 21:1-11 Most years Palm Sunday tends to focus on the palms. But not this year. This year there is no palm procession. We’re not waving our palms and children aren’t having sword fights with theirs. We’re not walking into the church together singing All glory, laud, and honor and “the lips of children [are not making] sweet hosannas ring.” There are … Continue reading This Is The One – A Palm Sunday Sermon On Matthew 21:1-11
The COVID-19 pandemic does not stand as a barrier or in opposition to Holy Week. The pandemic is our Holy Week. We don’t need to try and make Holy Week “normal” or like previous years. We need to experience and connect to Holy Week, not in spite of what is happening, but through what is happening. Continue reading The Pandemic Is Our Holy Week
A collection of sermons preached at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Uvalde, Texas, for Holy Week and Easter Sunday 2019. Continue reading Sermons For Holy Week and Easter Sunday (2019)
Holy Saturday – Matthew 27:57-66 I am always struck by the contrast between this day, Holy Saturday, and the rest of Holy Week. The crowds, shouting, and turmoil of Good Friday have given way to silence and stillness. There is no meal or intimacy like on Maundy Thursday. The excitement and hope of Palm Sunday’s triumphal entry have ended with two women and a sealed … Continue reading Sitting In Opposition – A Sermon On Matthew 27:57-66 For Holy Saturday
We tend to let the cross and Jesus’ death overshadow not only this day, but the entirety of our faith, as if it is the thing and the only thing. But what if it’s just one more thing, one among many? I do not mean to diminish or negate the cross on this day. But there is more to Jesus, his life, and this day than just his cross and death. It’s a part of the story but it’s not the whole story. So I want to try and enlarge the meaning of the cross and this day. Continue reading Aligning Our Lives – A Sermon On John 18:1-19:42 For Good Friday
Maundy Thursday – John 13:1-17, 31-35 “You will never wash my feet,” Peter says to Jesus. What’s that about? What’s going on with Peter? I don’t know but I have a guess. I think it’s about more than having his feet washed. In fact, I don’t think it’s even about his feet. I think it’s about feeling vulnerable, exposed, and uncertain about taking his share … Continue reading This Is Our Night – A Sermon On John 13:1-17, 31-35 For Maundy Thursday
Wednesday in Holy Week – John 13:21-32 What comes to mind when you hear the name Judas? For most of us, I suspect, the first thing we think of is betrayal. Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus. Judas is the one who made a deal with the authorities. Judas is the one who sold out. Judas is the one who “went out” into the … Continue reading Judas, More Than A Betrayer? – A Sermon On John 13:21-32 For Wednesday In Holy Week
