Matthew 22:34-46 I am indebted for this sermon to the work of Robert Alter, particularly his translations of Deuteronomy and Leviticus and commentaries therein. I am also grateful for the teaching of the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Abts Wright, who first lifted up for me the rich symbolism of the Hebrew scriptures and how it affectsContinue reading “Loyal Love”
Category Archives: ordinary time
We Believe Together
Philippians 2:1-13 When I was a teenager, I was asked to stand up for what I believed in. And I mean that literally. During a Christian Education session at my beloved church camp, the chaplains asked us all to stand up or raise our hand. They told us they were going to read aloud theContinue reading “We Believe Together”
The Unfair Kingdom
Matthew 20:1-16 “That’s not fair!” “Well, life’s not fair!” I don’t know about y’all, but that is a very familiar exchange from my childhood, and every year that I’ve been alive has been another opportunity to learn just how unfair life really is. The parable of the generous landowner, as it is known, is aboutContinue reading “The Unfair Kingdom”
Claiming Her Crumbs
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” “Lord, help me.” “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” When we studied today’s GospelContinue reading “Claiming Her Crumbs”
Lost at Sea
Matthew 14:22-33 Yesterday, some members of our two parishes gathered at Trinity Episcopal Church in Arrington to take part in an ancient mode of prayer. On Trinity’s beautiful campus, set a little apart from their cemetery, is a labyrinth, a circuitous path laid in the ground for the purpose of prayerful walking. Those who haveContinue reading “Lost at Sea”
Awakening
Matthew 17:1-9 Please note that some of the links in this sermon lead to descriptions of discriminative policies affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals and people capable of pregnancy. I include these policies to ensure that any narrative built around recent events at Asbury University do not leave out the violence done by such policies and the systemsContinue reading “Awakening”
Transforming Community
Matthew 5:21-37 Something I noticed for the first time while preparing for last week’s Wednesday Bible Study and for this morning’s sermon has really impacted me and how I’ve been hearing Jesus this week. For several weeks now we’ve been hearing passages from the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew’s Gospel. This is Jesus’s stumpContinue reading “Transforming Community”
The Widest View
A version of this sermon was first preached in 2019 to the people of St Luke’s in Anchorage KY. Due to a difficult week including the loss of a beloved pet, I will be revisiting this sermon in 2022 with the congregations of St Mark’s Clifford and Grace Massies Mill. I give thanks to GodContinue reading “The Widest View”
A Very Different Story
Luke 19:1-10 Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to experience the familiar story of Zacchaeus with entirely new eyes, and this experience has challenged me. I think it might challenge you too. As an elected member of the Trustees of the Funds for our Diocese, I participate in quarterly meetings with some clergy andContinue reading “A Very Different Story”
Have Mercy
Luke 18:9-14 Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One of them was a pious religious leader, and the other was an agent of the state who participated in and financially benefited from the oppression of his own people. Both of them went up to pray in a place set apart for worshippingContinue reading “Have Mercy”
Mother A Writes 