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Even a Cup of Cold Water
4 Pentecost, Proper 8 – July 2, 2017 Matthew 10:40-42 “Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” The rawness of Jesus’ words here should not be lost on us–simply a cup of water in the name of a disciple–and one’s reward is granted – forever. The reward is not simply for the preachers and prophets, but…
What would you dare to do?
Trinity Sunday June 11, 2017 Matthew 28:16-20 Today is Trinity Sunday when those of us who are preaching may try to find some grand way to explain the concept of the three-in-one, the one-in-three: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You may recall I have used the example of 3 forms of water – water, ice and steam – three forms, but one substance.But that still doesn’t do justice to the concept of the Trinity. So, perhaps we could approach…
Breath of Fresh Air
Pentecost – June 4, 2017 Acts 2:1-21 Consider creation. Genesis tells us that God made humanity from two ingredients. One is dust, mud, dirt, the stuff we now find under our feet. God shapes us from this earthy clay like a kid making a mud pie. But, the Creator does not stop there. God breathes into this shape made from mud, God’s own breath, and the human becomes alive, a creature of matter and spirit. It’s God’s own breath that makes us…
Look for the Helpers
7 Easter – May 28, 2017 John 17:1-11 Terrorism is tearing at the fabric of our common humanity today as we hear Jesus, still saying his goodbye that spans four full chapters (nearly 25% of John’s Gospel!) The long discourse and, in today’s reading, the prayer, are all intended to prepare the disciples for their lives after Jesus’ ascension. And so, on the brink of crossing the threshold from being Jesus’ students to being Jesus’ emissaries to the world, Jesus…
Goodbyes
5 Easter – May 14, 2017 John 14:1-14 Our gospel reading this morning is one that is often read at funerals, and for good reason. It is comforting in the face of the death of a loved one. But this piece of scripture is not only about life after death, it is a text that has everything to do with our lives here and now. The setting is Jesus’ farewell address at his last supper with his disciples. Jesus has…
Jesus the Sheep Gate
4 Easter – May 7, 2017 John 10:1-10 This morning Jesus speaks to us about shepherds, sheep and gates. In fact, he says that he is the gate. “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” This discourse follows immediately after the story of Jesus healing…
We Had Hoped
3 Easter – April 30, 2017 Luke 24:13-35 Our gospel story this morning fills this account of Jesus’ resurrection with the paradox of the Christ who is stranger and companion. Two quotes from Augustine convey the beautiful paradox: “The teacher was walking with them along the way and he himself was the way.” “And because they observed hospitality, him who they knew not yet in the expounding of scriptures, they suddenly know in the breaking of bread.” The scripture tells…
Easter is Ongoing
Easter Day – April 16, 2017 Matthew 28:1-10 So, what did Jesus come for? Was it to give us less death or to give us life? To give us less death or to give us life? While the answer to that question may seem obvious, we live in a society that is obsessed with less death. What do I mean by that? We are focused on having less of what we don’t want. We are consistently coming up with new…
No Bones are Too Dry
5 Lent – April 2, 2017 John 11:1-45 Such big stories today. Ezekiel’s valley of the dry bones and the story of the raising of Lazarus. Big stories. It’s hard to know where to begin. So let’s begin where they do, with something terrible happening – I think we can all relate.And in your gut you feel that this terrible something has the last word. Life seems ruthlessly constricted. Hope is stifled. No time to come seems worthy of consideration.…
Are We Blind?
4 Lent – March 26, 2017 John 9:1-41 Our gospel this morning begins with a question about a man born blind. Jesus’ disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Think about how the question is asked. The disciples are making an assumption in their questioning. They assume that someone had to have sinned in order for the man to be born blind. That was their experience. That was what they knew.…
What are you doing here?
1 Lent – March 5, 2017 Matthew 4:1-11 So, we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday…remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return….we hear as we are marked with ashes on our foreheads. It is done to remind us of our Creator God. It is done to remind us whose we are. And the first Sunday in Lent we hear the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Just before this passage, keep in mind, is…
When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.
Last Sunday after Epiphany: The Transfiguration – February 26, 2017 Matthew 17:1-9 Jesus is transfigured. Moses and Elijah appear and then strangely disappear. Peter is perplexed. James and John are silent. God speaks. The disciples are overcome with awe. Jesus tells them to say nothing about what has happened! Mystery and divine presence are pervasive in our gospel story for today. What is the transfiguration telling us? The Transfiguration story is always the Last Sunday in the church season of…