The Work of Dehumanization and the Gospel Challenge

We are constantly exposed in our culture to subtle and not so subtle messages meant to dehumanize others and to make us less empathic toward the suffering of others. These messages are a basic part of our culture because our culture, unfortunately, is deeply rooted in war, domination, and racism. In the United States, ourContinueContinue reading “The Work of Dehumanization and the Gospel Challenge”

Take heart …

The texts for Sunday, October 25, 2015 (22nd Sunday after Pentecost): Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 7:23-28; and Mark 10:46-52.  (We didn’t choose the Reformation texts this day, but something about these texts seems to speak pretty closely to the Reformation too, even if they aren’t Martin Luther’s favorites.)   † A blind man, he wasContinueContinue reading “Take heart …”

Not Enough

The texts for Sunday July 26, 2015 (9th Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 17): 2 Kings 4: 42-44; Psalm 145: 10-18; Ephesians 3: 14-21; and John 6: 1-21 We just don’t have enough There isn’t enough I think this might well be one of the oldest excuses in the book next to maybe, “not me” “notContinueContinue reading “Not Enough”

A Voice Crying Out || Spoken Word

The texts for Sunday, December 7, 2014 (Advent 2B): Isaiah 40:1–11; Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13; 2 Peter 3:8–15a; and Mark 1:1–8. The audio of the sermon:  Advent 2B Here is my first ever attempt at Spoken Word (a form of poetry, for those unfamiliar).  Please be kind.  Also, learn more about Spoken Word and hear some of the best at TED here: https://www.ted.com/topics/spoken+wordContinueContinue reading “A Voice Crying Out || Spoken Word”

Bridesmaids Deconstructed

The texts for Sunday, November 9, 2014 (22nd Sunday after Pentecost):  Amos 5:18–24; Psalm 70; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; and Matthew 25:1–13. Link to the audio file:  Sermon for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost … Our faith is a faith of waiting of deep, hopeful longing of knowing, somehow that life and creation could be better could be more just couldContinueContinue reading “Bridesmaids Deconstructed”

Lamed Vavniks

The texts Sunday, July 28, 2013 (lectionary 17): Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]; and Luke 11:1-13 “Then Abraham came near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for the fifty righteous who areContinueContinue reading “Lamed Vavniks”

I pledge allegiance…

The texts for Sunday, November 25, 2012 (Christ the King): Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:4b–8; and John 18:33–37   …So, in 1922, Pope Pious XI declared this Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year to be Christ the King Sunday. It is the youngest of the church’s festival days. The church addedContinueContinue reading “I pledge allegiance…”

Born into a Broken World

The texts July 1, 2012 (moved from June 24, 2012 — the celebration of the birth of John the Baptist): Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 141; Acts 13:13–26; and Luke 1:57–80 … Our world is full of shattered lives and broken people and all sorts of broken dreams, ideas, systems, and priorities. Our world is full ofContinueContinue reading “Born into a Broken World”