Tag: Lent
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Loving Each Other Into The Future – A Sermon On John 12:1-8
By now many of you have heard that Tom died Wednesday afternoon. He was one of the great men in this parish and town. His wife and children were with him the last few days as he was crossing over. Grandchildren and other family members spoke to him by phone or video call. I got Read more
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The Decisive Moments – A Sermon On Luke 4:1-13
Decisive Moments When you look back on your life what have been some of the decisive moments? I’m not asking about the routine decisions and choices we make every day. I’m asking about those decisions that have profound and lasting consequences. They are the decisions that reveal who we are and what it means to Read more
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Rethinking Ash Wednesday And Lent – A Sermon On Isaiah 58:1-12
Years ago I heard a story about a priest who went to a new parish. I don’t know if it really happened; it probably didn’t, but I think there’s some truth in the story. Anyway, the priest was meeting and getting to know the people and would ask about their relationship with God. Most responded Read more
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No Temptation, No Salvation – A Sermon On Mark 1:9-15
Over the last several years I’ve found myself, more often than not, rethinking and working to unlearn much of what I’ve been told and come to believe and understand about God and what it means to be in relationship with the Divine. I’ve encouraged you to do the same. It’s part of my teaching and Read more
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No Dust, No Life – An Ash Wednesday Sermon On Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
One of the things I know about myself is that I am not a singer. You know it too. Some of you have told me I’m not. But did you know that I can play the trumpet and I’m pretty good at it? Here’s what I mean by that. I remember a session in which Read more
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The Lenten Treasure Hunt
For many in the Church Lent begins today with Ash Wednesday. It’s forty days long, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. It’s a time to prepare for the new life that will be revealed on Easter Sunday. Lent is usually characterized by fasting, self-denial, and repentance. Even if Lent is not a Read more
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Let’s Not Waste A Good Temptation – A Sermon On Matthew 4:1-11
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” That’s the first line in today’s gospel (Matthew 4:1-11) and my first thought is, Well, that’s not fair. The Spirit and the devil in cahoots? What are we supposed to do with that? Maybe it’s an opportunity to Read more
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Pulling Back The Husks On My Life – An Ash Wednesday Sermon On Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Most weeks as I am preparing my sermon at some point I call a retired priest who, for almost thirty years, has been my spiritual director, mentor, and one of my two best friends. We talk about our lives, the scriptures, my sermon ideas, and how what I am reading and studying are connecting with Read more
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Unless … – A Sermon On John 12:20-33
I don’t know if “unlesses” is a real word but I am using it as a noun and the plural of unless. We all have our “unlesses.” They’re about how and what we see. They are the restrictions, limitations, and conditions that shape and inform our relationships and understanding of each other, Jesus, and ourselves.… Read more
Interrupting the Silence 