Monthly Archives: June 2012

2 Corinthians and the naive faith of Henry Vaughn

When I was twelve, my English teacher told my parents that I was quite naive in my reading of the class poetry assignments. I knew why she said that. We had been reading Henry Vaughn, who seemed almost jealous of … Continue reading

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Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

Earlier this week I posted “Unforgivable,” a meditation on how we read and receive the threat of unforgivable sin as presented in this week’s gospel. I shied away from defining the unpardonable; blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I maintain that … Continue reading

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(no) Walking on the water

We are frequently offered an image of a Jesus who flouted lesser regulations; a transgressor of boundaries; a rebel. Is the story of the walk across the water an example of this?

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Babies, breasts and baptism

When our babies were new, a friend told the story of her daughter’s baptism. Another child in the congregation was being baptized alongside her, and this baby was hungry. Very hungry. The baby would not be put off or consoled … Continue reading

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Boniface, Missionary and Martyr

I read and hear often that the most effective way of introducing new people to the church (or vice versa) is by personal invitation to a friend, neighbour, or grocery checkout assistant. (Let’s leave aside for now the question of … Continue reading

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Unforgivable

So you think you’ve committed the unpardonable, unforgivable, permanently staining sin. Welcome. It is amazing, isn’t it, that with all of the gospel good news telling us how much God loves us, how ready God is to forgive us, how … Continue reading

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Trinity

A waltz: one, two, three, one, two, three; or a polka: one, two, three and ( you?)

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The next verse

“not to condemn;” the part we too often judge to be forgettable.

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