Sermons from August 2015

14 Pentecost, Proper 17 – August 30, 2015 Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 After six weeks in John’s “bread of life” chapter, we are back to the gospel of Mark. But what an odd place to land: right in the middle of an argument. Actually a familiar argument, a routine argument. Haven’t we all been in that argument about telling kids to wash their hands before dinner – either as the kid or the adult trying to get them to wash their hands?…

11 Pentecost, Proper 14 – August 9, 2015 John 6:35, 41-51 Once again I wonder about that crowd who follows Jesus speaking for us, today. St. John narrates that these people who have followed Jesus, regarded him as a teacher, and witnessed his miracles, also know him as one of their own. They knew his parents and his brothers and sisters, they watched him play and learn his trade, grow up and eventually leave home. In other words, they know…

10 Pentecost, Proper 13 – August 2, 2015 John 6:24-35 Some things are worth complaining to God about. Sometimes, asking God for assurance that God is still with us is understandable, even appropriate. When Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (John 6:26), I don’t think Jesus was scolding the crowd for seeking bread because they were hungry. Perhaps Jesus was…