In a world so full of conflict, so full of disagreement and dismissal and debate, where we can post or comment our unfiltered thoughts on the internet for thousands or even millions of strangers to take out of context, it only makes sense that in our day to day lives we would hope to minimizeContinue reading “As a Gentile and a Tax Collector”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
High Demand Religion
It is rare in the Christian life that we receive clear, unequivocal instruction about how we are to live. Or rather, we are so constantly receiving messaging that is inconsistent or contradictory that it is almost impossible to discern what is the “right” way to live as a Christian in the world. Much of itContinue reading “High Demand Religion”
A Living Sacrifice
Sacrifice is something we speak of as the things that we lose, the things we give up, for the sake of some higher purpose. Our servicemen and women sacrifice their lives, both by their service and in some cases by their deaths, for the security of their country. Our firefighters and police officers sacrifice theirContinue reading “A Living Sacrifice”
How do we trust?
John 14:1-14 During this past Lent, I was invited to speak at Ben’s parish in Lynchburg for their weekly Lenten program. A committee of St John’s members had come together to discern what the community needed most, and they came out with a program entitled “In Spite of It All: Spirituality For When Life GetsContinue reading “How do we trust?”
In the Light of Day
John 4:5-42 Last week, we met Jesus in the night with Nicodemus, a man who was not yet ready to encounter the truth in the light of day. This week, we meet Jesus at high noon, the sun blazing down from above. The teacher is tired and hot and thirsty, so he stops to restContinue reading “In the Light of Day”
Crooked on the Wheel
Jeremiah 18:1-11 When I was in middle school, I had the great privilege of taking 3 years of art classes from a wonderful teacher who exposed us to a wide variety of mediums and methodologies. We did everything from charcoal to printmaking to egg tempera painting, and the one medium I never quite got theContinue reading “Crooked on the Wheel”
A World on Fire
Luke 12:49-56 A friend of mine recently sent around a picture of the front cover of her parish bulletin for today in a group message with other clergy. The graphic that her parish administrator had chosen for the front cover was a world on fire, the earth as seen from space but partially engulfed inContinue reading “A World on Fire”
A Life of Getting Ready
Luke 12:32-40 I am always overtaken at this time of year by a deep sense of nostalgia for the back-to-school excitement. I remember fondly the aisles of fresh pencils and bright pens and folders and notebooks in every color under the sun. I loved the feeling of finding the perfect backpack and opening a brand-newContinue reading “A Life of Getting Ready”
Our Mother Hen
Luke 13:31-35 When I was in second and third grade, I had the kind of teacher that you never forget. Her name was Mrs. Meadows, and she was known by the entire school as the teacher with all the animals. The class pet was not a rarity in the early 2000s, although I think withContinue reading “Our Mother Hen”
Led by the Blind
Mark 10:46-52 In today’s Gospel passage we receive a real-world illustration of the teaching Jesus has been trying to instill in his disciples over the last few weeks of readings. He told them to let the little children come to him, that those who wish to enter the kingdom must be like those children. HeContinue reading “Led by the Blind”
Mother A Writes 