Interrupting the Silence

Tag: Sermon

  • Luke, Tell Me the Story Again!

    There are some stories that simply bear repeating. Children want to hear the same old bed time story. Lovers tell the story of meeting and falling in love. Parents tell the story of their child’s birth. Tonight the Church tells the Christmas story. None of these stories are new. They have been told throughout the… Read more

  • On the Death of a Child

    It is a connection I never imagined or wanted. Nine days after the death of my son I officiated and preached at the wedding of a young couple. Nine days before the third anniversary of my son’s death I officiated and preached the following sermon at the funeral of that young couple’s baby. Born prematurely,… Read more

  • Nativity Scenes Here, There, Everywhere – A Sermon for Christmas Eve, Luke 2:1-20

    I probably need to begin with a disclaimer. My understanding of the nativity has changed. It is not what it used to be. I no longer see the birth of Jesus the way it is so often portrayed. The image of sweet baby Jesus asleep on the hay has given way to a vision of… Read more

  • Grace in a Wage Based World – A Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16, Proper 20A

    The collect and reading for today may be found here. The appointed gospel is Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard.… Read more

  • Re-centering – A Sermon on Matthew 16:13-20, Proper 16A

    The collect and readings for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 16A, may be found here. The appointed gospel is Matthew 16:13-20. When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others… Read more

  • Children and Dogs – A Sermon on Matthew 15:21-28, Proper 15A

    The collect and readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 9A, may be found here. The appointed gospel is Match 15:21-28. Jesus left Gennesaret and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of… Read more

  • Keep Your Hands and Feet Inside the Boat – A Sermon on Matthew 14:22-32, Proper 14A

    The collect and readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 14A, may be found here. The appointed gospel is Matthew 14:22-33. Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain… Read more

  • Crossing the Jabbok – A Sermon on Genesis 32:22-31 (Jacob Wrestling), Proper 13A

    The collect and readings for today, Proper 13A, the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost may be found here. The Old Testament reading, Genesis 32:22-31 , serves as the basis for the sermon below. The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the… Read more

  • Waking Up With Leah – A Sermon for Proper 12A: Genesis 29:15-28; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

    The collect and readings for today, the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 12A, may be found here. The following sermon is based on Genesis 29:15-28 and Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. Genesis 29:15-28 Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now… Read more