A week has passed for each of us, but in the world of our Gospel text we are mere hours past the feeding of the five thousand. A sign, a wonder, a miraculous feast made up of a child’s rations, enough to feed thousands to fullness and still come away with leftovers to share withContinue reading “The Bread of Life, pt 1”
Category Archives: ordinary time
Grace-filled & fed
The feeding of the great crowd, the feast of loaves and fishes, may be one of the most familiar Bible stories in the Gospels. This event, this impossible feast, was so striking and so influential to the early church that it appears six times across the four Gospels, six accounts of a single miracle. RatherContinue reading “Grace-filled & fed”
Gospel Rest
This sermon was written and recorded for both Grace Episcopal and St Mark’s Episcopal. I am indebted to Debie Thomas of Journey with Jesus for the guidance that brought this sermon into being after the disruption in my life by a recent injury. Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 After their first season of evangelism, the disciples cameContinue reading “Gospel Rest”
Hymns of Praise
Ephesians 1:3-14 I learned many things about myself, about God, and about the Church during the many hours I spent in the Chapel of the Apostles during seminary. This small modern chapel hosted liturgies three times a day during the week, most of which were led by students. Seminary students read the lessons, officiated theContinue reading “Hymns of Praise”
Thus says the Lord
Ezekiel 2:1-5 The people of God are not as familiar with the prophetic voice as we once were. Many of us now, were we to meet someone who claimed to be a prophet, would meet them with raised eyebrows or even with concern for their health. We might brush them aside, thank them and moveContinue reading “Thus says the Lord”
Reach
Mark 5:21-43 Today we join Jesus as he disembarks from the once storm-tossed boat and steps onto a beach that is quickly crowded with people. His reputation as a teacher and a healer precedes him, and everyone who is able comes rushing to meet him, craning for a glimpse of this mysterious man. Among theContinue reading “Reach”
Keep Getting in the Boat
Mark 4:35-41 A common refrain in some Christian communities over the past year has been “Faith over fear.” We may have heard or even said ourselves the phrase “We cannot live in fear.” Indeed, one of the most repeated refrains in Holy Scripture is the invocation of the angels: Do not be afraid. Jesus’s responseContinue reading “Keep Getting in the Boat”
With what can we compare?
Mark 4:26-34 With what can we compare the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is like a seed that has been scattered over soil. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. The kingdom of God is like a parable that is told in public and explained in private. The kingdom of GodContinue reading “With what can we compare?”
Redefining Family
Mark 3:20-35 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” In our passage from the Gospel according to Mark this morning, Jesus poses a startling question. “Who are my mother and my brothers?” This section of the Gospel is packed full of twists and turns and characters, and it is important for us to notice eachContinue reading “Redefining Family”
What It Is We Are Waiting For
Matthew 25:31-46 The season of Advent, traditionally defined as a season of penitence, preparation, and anticipatory hope, has in recent history been overcome by ever-earlier transitions into festivity. If the church were to follow the trends of the commercial realm, this season of waiting would have begun just prior to Halloween and ended around theContinue reading “What It Is We Are Waiting For”
Mother A Writes 