lent – Page 2 – Mother A Writes

Be Human.

Matthew 4:1-11 “Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished.” It is interesting that we meet Jesus at the beginning of our forty day fast as he reaches the end of his. Only a few days ago many of us received the sign of the cross in ashes upon our foreheadsContinue reading “Be Human.”

Costly Love

John 12:1-8 In the final week of his life and earthly ministry, Jesus returned to a familiar place and a beloved family. The three siblings, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus feature prominently throughout the Gospels. Mary, the dedicated pupil and bold worshipper of Jesus, known for sitting at his feet and anointing his body with fragrantContinue reading “Costly Love”

Choosing Another Way

Luke 4:1-13 As those of you who joined us for the Bible study this past Thursday night will already know, this passage from the Gospel according to Luke is more than meets the eye. This scene is relatively short, but it is rich with images and action and quick dialogue. On the movie screen ofContinue reading “Choosing Another Way”

Remember & Return

Ash Wednesday 2022 Something that I’ve heard time and time again in conversations with members of this community is that we’ve lost our sense of time. The traditions and activities that once helped us to mark time have been dislodged or altered or suspended. Life’s transitional moments seem to happen off stage, even when they’reContinue reading “Remember & Return”

Lent, Continued.

John 12:20-33 Although the flower-laden celebration of Easter is still two weeks away, the first buds are appearing on the trees, the first blooms are bursting forth, and spring is officially upon us. Fresh fruits and vegetables are becoming more numerous in the markets and patio seating is a little more comfortable than it hasContinue reading “Lent, Continued.”

Not a Tame Lion

John 2:13-22 The images we encounter of Jesus, whether they be physical icons or works of art that we can see and touch, or metaphors and scenes we come back to in moments of prayer and contemplation, shape our understanding of the personality of the incarnate God. Perhaps you are familiar with a particular paintingContinue reading “Not a Tame Lion”

Make Space

Mark 1:9-15 The following sermon was given to the people of St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Anchorage KY, and shared with the people of St John’s in Murray KY and the people of Thankful Memorial in Chattanooga TN. For the past two weeks, I’ve posed the same question to many different people. I’ve asked youngContinue reading “Make Space”

Disfigure Your Faces

In preparing this sermon, I am indebted to the right reverend Neil Alexander for his reflections on the history of Ash Wednesday, linked at the end of this sermon, as well as to the poetry and ministry of the reverend Elizabeth Brooks Harden. If you flip the page in your bulletin, you will notice thatContinue reading “Disfigure Your Faces”