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 “Doubt & A Thrill of Hope”
Tag Archives: sermons
It Starts With Repentance
Matthew 3:1-12 We meet John the Baptizer in the season when we are awaiting the birth of the infant, and that can make our timelines a bit fuzzy. John is both the harbinger of the Messiah and his contemporary. The adult John is not already preaching while the unborn Jesus still grows in his mother’sContinue reading “It Starts With Repentance”
Anticipatory Joy
Matthew 24:36-44 Do you remember what it felt like to go to bed knowing that tomorrow would bring something magical? Perhaps for you it was a Christmas Eve of your childhood, or a special birthday, or the eve of your wedding or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. That jittery, sparkling, jumping-out-of-your-skin anticipation of what is to come.Continue reading “Anticipatory Joy”
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”
Remember the Living
Ephesians 1:11-23 If there is one thing that the annual observance of the feast of All Saints can teach us, it is that we do not come to know Jesus in a vacuum. None of us is a product solely of our own originality, but rather a mosaic of all the little pieces we haveContinue reading “Remember the Living”
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”
Recasting the Parable
Luke 18:1-8 I was asked in Bible Study this past Wednesday why our Bible is so long, why we don’t just have a text made up entirely of Jesus’s own words. I wish I’d had the presence of mind at the time to bring up today’s Gospel text, but perhaps I was just saving thatContinue reading “Recasting the Parable”
Mustard Seed Hearts
Luke 17:5-10 I have seen what faith the size of a mustard seed can do. I have seen mountains move, and the impossible come to pass. I’d be willing to bet most of the people in this room have too, whether you know it or not. One of the greatest privileges and most difficult challengesContinue reading “Mustard Seed Hearts”
Tearing Down the Gate
Luke 16:19-31 “If you’re talking about the afterlife, you’re missing the point.” In my preparations for this week’s sermon I listened to a sermon podcast that Ben likes to reach for, and this phrase from the episode on Lazarus and the rich man has really stuck with me. If I’m talking about the afterlife inContinue reading “Tearing Down the Gate”
Mother A Writes 