Today’s gospel (Luke 9:51-62) is a difficult one. It’s confrontational and it doesn’t leave much, if any, wiggle room. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” We’re either looking toward the kingdom or we are not. We’re either responding to the call of life or we’re not. We’re either open to the coming future or we’re not. Continue reading But First…. – A Sermon On Luke 9:51-62
Proper 22B – Mark 10:2-16 The confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh has been completed. But here’s what I wonder. What have we confirmed? I am not speaking of Judge Kavanaugh’s qualifications or character. This is about more than particular individuals. We have confirmed more than a new Supreme Court justice. We have confirmed our divorce from one another. We have confirmed our reliance on procedure over … Continue reading What Have We Confirmed? – A Sermon On Mark 10:2-16
“Where, then, did these weeds come from?” (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Parable of the Weeds, Proper 11A) Who has not at some point asked that question? You may not have used those same words and you may not have spoken it aloud but I’ll bet everyone has, at some time or another, asked the question. Maybe you’ve read or watched the news and wondered, “How did … Continue reading Weeding out Judgment – A Sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
From Blessed Paul Giustiniani as quoted by Dom Jean Leclerq in Alone with God (p. 113); ‘The Lord lifts up those who fall’ [Ps. 145:15]. I never tire of repeating this word, which is the foundation of all my hope. I have fallen, Lord, but You are my God and my king: According to your infinite Majesty and boundless Goodness, lift me up and I … Continue reading Lift Me Up and I Shall Live Again
A priest was visiting with a new parishioner and asked, “How’s your relationship with God?” The parishioner says, “There’s not much to tell. I like sinning. God likes forgiving. We get along just fine.” That story is an adaptation of some lines from W. H. Auden’s poem, For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio. In the poem King Herod’s responds to the magi’s news of … Continue reading No More Admirably Arranged Lives – A Sermon on Romans 6:12-23
“Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” Jesus is not calling Simon’s attention to this woman. She has already done that. Her tears, her hair, her kisses, her touching, her anointing. Simon, no doubt, has been watching her. He has seen her. That’s not Jesus’ question. Jesus wants to know if Simon understands. Does he know what the woman knows? Does he understand the meaning behind … Continue reading The Freedom of Forgiveness, A Sermon on Luke 7:36-8:3
The collect and readings for today, The Second Sunday of Advent, may be found here. The following sermon focuses on Isaiah 40:1-11. “Comfort, o comfort my people.” These are God’s ancient words to his people; spoken through the prophet Isaiah in the 6th century b.c. Their relevance and timeliness, however, are not lost on us today. It is not hard to find people in discomfort, … Continue reading When Exile and Words of Comfort Meet – A Sermon on Isaiah 40:1-11, Advent 2B
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us. Hear our prayers, O Christ, our God. Hear us, O Christ … Continue reading A Litany for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
The readings and collect for the Feast of Pentecost may be found here. The appointed gospel is John 20:19-23. When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said … Continue reading Breathe, You Have Been Pentecosted – A Sermon on John 20:19-23 for the Feast of Pentecost
