Luke 16:1-13 The parable of the dishonest manager, as our Gospel lesson from Luke this week is known, is one of the most hotly contested and opaque passages in the New Testament. Since the earliest days of the church, Christian scholars and believers alike have puzzled over this strange story from the mouth of Jesus.Continue reading “Finding the Right Answer”
Tag Archives: sermons
Stories Jesus Told
Luke 15:1-10 The stories we tell our children shape them, and us, and pour the foundation upon which a life is built. Those stories include stories out of picture books and Bibles, movies and television, family history and the day’s news. Growing up as the daughter of an educator, I had the great privilege ofContinue reading “Stories Jesus Told”
Worth the Cost
Luke 14:25-33 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” It’s not the only time Jesus says something like this in the Gospels, but it is maybe the most direct. I once led a Bible Study withContinue reading “Worth the Cost”
Surrounded by Hope
Hebrews 11:29-12:2 A dear friend and colleague of mine often recounts the story of a beloved parish elder, a matriarch that has been a part of his congregation for her entire long life. They were speaking about the vastness of the church they both love, a large downtown parish that could comfortably hold our entireContinue reading “Surrounded by Hope”
Delight
Luke 12:32-40 As I’ve shared with some of you over the past few months, I am trying my hand at gardening. I know that my efforts are quaint; a small four by four raised bed in my backyard has nothing on the beautiful farms and gardens so many of you keep. My little garden doesContinue reading “Delight”
What Will Happen If I Don’t?
Luke 10:25-37 Two weeks ago, two members of St Mark’s sat in the hot sun for two hours to pick up food from the Candlelight Ministries Mobile Food Pantry on behalf of a community member in need who first came to us through the ministry of the Episcopal Thrift Store. Through a coordinated effort ofContinue reading “What Will Happen If I Don’t?”
Travel Lightly
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 I have a confession to make. I am not a light traveler. Whether it’s an overnight trip or a move to a new place, I always bring more than any reasonable person would think is necessary. My siblings and I are notorious in our family for keeping our cars full- full ofContinue reading “Travel Lightly”
You won’t need that where we’re going.
Luke 9:51-62 The Jesus we meet this morning has a difficult teaching for us, one that triggers disbelief, defensiveness, and disagreement in most hearers. He’s rebuking his friends for trying to stick up for him, he’s answering confessions of faith by comparing himself to wild animals, and he’s challenging those who give seemingly valid reasonsContinue reading “You won’t need that where we’re going.”
What I Understand About the Trinity- Alternatively Titled “Heresy? Probably.”
John 16:12-15 The readings for Trinity Sunday can be found here, although you’ll find this to be an occasional sermon, meaning I focus on the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Trinity rather than any one text There are lots of jokes among preachers that this is “curate Sunday” or “associate Sunday” or “seminarianContinue reading “What I Understand About the Trinity- Alternatively Titled “Heresy? Probably.””
The Reversal of Babel
Acts 2:1-21 In the parish where I grew up, there was a practice for many years on Pentecost, a dramatic demonstration that echoed the liturgical reliving of Holy Week’s journey from the betrayal to the resurrection. For the reading of the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the lesson we heard today, theContinue reading “The Reversal of Babel”
Mother A Writes 