Who We Truly Are

Matthew 4:1-11 This sermon references two litanies; the Litany of Penitence beginning on page 267 of the Book of Common Prayer and the Great Litany on page 148 in the same book. Both are very appropriate devotional practices for personal use any time in the Lenten season. In nearly every Episcopal Church, Lent begins withContinue reading “Who We Truly Are”

Dazzling Humanity

Matthew 17:1-9 In many of the traditional icons that depict the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop, the poor disciples are either face down on the ground or laid out on their stomachs or backs with looks of pure panic on their faces. The juxtaposition of serene Jesus, Moses, and Elijah with freaked out Peter,Continue reading “Dazzling Humanity”

Repairers of the Breach

Isaiah 58:1-12 The photo associated with this post was taken by my father, William N Caudill, at the Minneapolis memorial the community has constructed at the site of Renee Good’s killing at the hands of an ICE agent. The photos were taken on 1/12/26, prior to the killing of Alex Pretti. The protest songs referencedContinue reading “Repairers of the Breach”

Prophetic Pointing

John 1:29-42 Tomorrow, our nation remembers the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. His work in the civil rights movement, as well as his dedication to nonviolent direct action, are lauded today by the majority of the people in this country today. But it has not always been this way. At the time of hisContinue reading “Prophetic Pointing”

For All People

Matthew 2:1-12 When I was a teenager, I was cast one year as one of the three wise men along with two of my classmates. We had all aged out of being sheep and shepherds and angels, and we weren’t quite old enough yet to play Mary or Joseph or the angel Gabriel, although byContinue reading “For All People”

A Beautiful Beginning

Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 If I were to start off with “once upon a time…,” it would probably signal certain things to you about what comes next. A fairy tale, a myth, a legend. Not necessarily true in the literal sense, but meaningful and maybe even instructive. If I were to say “a long time agoContinue reading “A Beautiful Beginning”

Big Love, Small

Luke 2:1-14(15-20) We want a big God. We want a God who will stop wars and move mountains and slow the passage of time. When we feel small and afraid in the wide world, we want a God who is bigger than us to protect us and fight for us. When we encounter natural marvelsContinue reading “Big Love, Small”

Ringing

Matthew 11:28-30 This sermon was given on the occasion of Blue Christmas, also known as Longest Night, an observance intended to name and offer comfort for the pain and grief that the holidays bring for many. In the context in which this sermon was given, the congregation were given the opportunity to receive the layingContinue reading “Ringing”

Power & Protection

Matthew 1:18-25 I have always felt a tenderness toward Mary’s husband. I find it fascinating that history remembers his name and his occupation, but none of his words. Joseph, the patriarch of the Holy Family, does not have a single line of dialogue in the Bible. Like Zechariah, who was silenced by God for nineContinue reading “Power & Protection”

The Doubting Prophet

Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist leapt in his mother’s womb in recognition of the miracle Mary carried. John the Baptist left behind his comfortable birthright for a short life of locusts and wild honey and persecution. John the Baptist was the voice crying out in the wilderness even when his voice grew hoarse and theContinue reading “The Doubting Prophet”