Tag: Violence

  • The Jesus Choice – A Sermon On John 18:1-19:42 For Good Friday

    The Jesus Choice – A Sermon On John 18:1-19:42 For Good Friday

    We often come to this day, Good Friday, and talk about what Jesus on the cross did for us. We talk of his death as having accomplished and completed something for us. I think that’s why a little later in the liturgy we will say, “We glory in your cross, O Lord.”  More and more,… Read more

  • The Reign Of Nonviolence – A Christ The King Sermon On Luke 23:33-43

    The Reign Of Nonviolence – A Christ The King Sermon On Luke 23:33-43

    “The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross.”  The crucifixion in November? What’s that about? Someone even asked me if I was sure I had the correct gospel for today. It is the correct gospel for today and I completely understand their question. Today’s gospel (Luke 23:33-43) feels out of place. It seems strange… Read more

  • Reimagining Our Lives – A Sermon On Luke 13:1-9 and Exodus 3:1-15

    Reimagining Our Lives – A Sermon On Luke 13:1-9 and Exodus 3:1-15

    As I reflected on today’s gospel (Luke 13:1-9) and prepared this sermon I thought about the Russian war on Ukraine, the six million covid deaths worldwide, the collision between a pick up truck and a van that killed nine last Tuesday, the death of my son and other tragedies in my life.  Not much has… Read more

  • Pray For Ukraine, And Then Act

    Pray For Ukraine, And Then Act

    I often remind myself that if I am going to pray for something I also need to align my life and actions with that prayer. It’s a way of giving existence to the insistence of my prayer.  I hope you will join my in praying for Ukraine, and then act.  A friend of mine, Fr.… Read more

  • It Still Matters – A Reflection On The Feast Of The Holy Innocents, Matthew 2:13-18

    It Still Matters – A Reflection On The Feast Of The Holy Innocents, Matthew 2:13-18

    Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents – Matthew 2:13-18 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the… Read more

  • A Call For Change – A Sermon On John 18:1-19:42

    A Call For Change – A Sermon On John 18:1-19:42

    Here’s my question. What is the cross of Jesus asking for in your life today? And what is it showing you?  Most of us come to Good Friday believing that the cross gave us something. Most of us come to this day saying that “Jesus died for our sins.” I’m not so sure anymore. I… Read more

  • All Are Responsible – A Sermon On Mark 1:4-11 And Acts 19:1-7

    All Are Responsible – A Sermon On Mark 1:4-11 And Acts 19:1-7

    Last week, some of you may remember, I ended my sermon by asking this question: Will we, in 2021, be different from and better than how we were in 2020? There’s not much about the first ten days of 2021 that suggests we will. I think it’s still an open question and, I hope, still… Read more

  • There’s Got To Be More Than This – A Sermon On Matthew 22:1-14

    There’s Got To Be More Than This – A Sermon On Matthew 22:1-14

    If what we hear in today’s gospel (Matthew 22:1-14) is really what the kingdom of heaven is like, then I’m not interested. Who needs God’s kingdom – at least as Jesus describes it today – when we already have more than enough leaders throughout the world who are abusing their power, when violence is perpetrated… Read more

  • Letting Peace Hold Our Wounds – A Pentecost Sermon On John 20:19-23

    Letting Peace Hold Our Wounds – A Pentecost Sermon On John 20:19-23

    America is in a hard place these days, and we have been for quite a while. Over the last few months of the coronavirus many have said that we’re all in this together. Yes, but we’re not all together in this. We are not “all together in one place” on this day of Pentecost. Our… Read more