An Episcopal Priest's Sermons, Prayers, and Reflections on Life, Becoming Human, and Discovering Our Divinity
Matthew 3:1-12, Advent 2A If last week’s gospel (Matthew 24:36-44) called us to wake up and be watchful of the worlds within us and around us, then this week's gospel (Matthew 3:1-12) calls us to respond. “Repent, for the kingdom of…
Read More Beauty, Hope, and Repentance – A Sermon on Matthew 3:1-12, Advent 2A
“What then should we do?” That question is at the center of today’s gospel. It has its origin, however, in last week’s gospel and John the Baptist’s call for repentance. Today’s gospel (Luke 3:7-18) is the continuation of last week’s…
Read More What Then Should We Do? – An Advent Sermon on Luke 3:7-18
Repent. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight. Valleys shall be filled. Mountains and hills shall be made low. The crooked shall be made straight. The rough ways shall be made smooth. By themselves those words have…
Read More Repentance, Responsibility, and San Bernardino – An Advent Sermon on Luke 3:1-6
After I graduated from seminary Cyndy and I moved to Kerrville where I began work as an associate priest at a large parish. Shortly after arriving I was invited to join a community prayer group. It was a small group…
Read More Turning Points in Life – A Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (From Matthew 3:1-12, Advent 2A). Those words drew the people to John the Baptist. The people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region along the Jordan went to him. I wonder…
Read More Too Content to Repent? A Sermon on Matthew 3:1-12, Advent 2A
When I was in the first grade I gathered my stuff and took off for the distant country. I ran away from home. Fortunately, it was a quick trip and I was back in time for supper. In the years…
Read More For Those in the Distant Country (Luke 15:11-32)
Read the headline news, listen to the stories behind the names and circumstances on our prayer list, observe life and you will quickly be reminded of what you already knew. Siloam’s was not the last tower to fall and Pilate…
Read More Tyrants Act and Towers Fall, Choose Life (Luke 13:1-9)
There comes a time when we realize change is needed. Things don’t work out. Something happens. Someone says something. The tried and true ways become tired and trite. It may happen suddenly or slowly over time. Either way, we realize…
Read More Repentance Means Becoming Human
Each one of us could tell a story about the wilderness. I am not talking about the scenic overlook along the highway, the unspoiled beauty of nature, or that quiet, back to nature, weekend getaway from the hassles of life.…
Read More A Welcome Word in the Wilderness
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…
Read More When Exile and Words of Comfort Meet – A Sermon on Isaiah 40:1-11, Advent 2B
Interrupting the Silence 