Tag: Presence
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An Open Invitation – A Sermon on Matthew 22:1-14
My first year in seminary we had a church history professor who would say the most outrageous things. He was funny. He was sarcastic. He was sometimes offensive and he was always challenging. You just never knew what to expect or what he might say next. After a particularly outrageous comment he would look at Read more
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Practicing Presence, Disconnect to Connect
“Where are you?” I looked at my wife and said, “I’m right here.” “No, you’re not,” she said. “You’re a million miles away.” She was right. I was there but I was not present. Most of us, I suspect, have been on both sides of that conversation. We have closed off another and been closed Read more
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Unanswered Prayer? A Sermon on Luke 11:1-13
“One of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’” (From Luke 11:1-13, Proper 12C.) As I recall my own life of prayer, prayers I have heard, and conversations I have had about prayer I can’t help but wonder if the coke machine isn’t our primary teacher of prayer. Think about it. We Read more
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Choosing Like Mary and Martha, A Sermon on Luke 10:38-42
“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part.” (From Luke 10:38-42, Proper 11C and the Feast of Mary and Martha.) There have been times when I made a choice and I knew deep within it was the only choice to be made. It was absolutely the right choice. If I Read more
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St. John of the Cross on “Our Most Important Task”
“Our most important task consists in remaining silent before this great God, silent with our desires as well as with our tongue. He understands only one language, that of silent love.” – St. John of the Cross in a letter to a Carmelite nun Related post: The Feast of St. John of the Cross – Read more
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Solitude for Ourselves And Others Revisited
In response to my recent post, Solitude for Ourselves and Others, a reader commented, …there is a particular radio talk show that i frequently listen to in which the host advocates a meditation exercise called “be still and know”…his listeners regularly call into the show to tell of their experiences while trying the exercise and Read more
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Waiting For The Unexpected Hour – Luke 12:32-40
The collect and readings for today, Proper 14C, the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, may be found here. The appointed gospel is Luke 12:32-40. Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for Read more
Interrupting the Silence 