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A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing
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Author Archives: Rosalind C Hughes
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
(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?
Posted in lectionary reflection
Tagged Daily Office, image, Jesus, lectionary, Matthew 14:22-36, transgressing, walking on water
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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
Posted in other words
Tagged baptism, breastfeeding, church, military mothers, npr.org, parenting, uniform
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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
Posted in homily
Tagged Boniface, evangelism, gospel, holy women holy men, inviting people to church, martyr, missionary, pitchforks
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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
Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation
Tagged blasphemy, forgiveness, God, gospel, hell, Holy Spirit, Mark 3:20-35, stain, unforgivable sin, Year B Proper 5
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Trinity
A waltz: one, two, three, one, two, three; or a polka: one, two, three and ( you?)
The next verse
“not to condemn;” the part we too often judge to be forgettable.
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged Bible verse, condemn, haiku, John 3:16, John 3:17, judge, poetry, Trinity Sunday B
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Romans 8: 12-17
Belonging Belonging, left longing for freedom, longing for love; owned and disowned in one sweet, divided breath? No. Belonging, beloved; longed-for and loved, left wanting for nothing that father and mother of all can supply, owing no debt in pounds … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged belonging, poetry, Romans 8: 12-17, spirit of adoption, Trinity Sunday B
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A study in contradictions
Psalm 29: One God, gloried by gods Breaking thunder. Powerful and splendid, breaking the cedars of Lebanon, breaking them down, bringing them joy, the joy of a child at play. Stricken lightning. Strong oaks writhe; the all too solid tree-flesh … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged contradictions, juxtaposition, poetry, Psalm 29, Trinity Sunday B
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over the water 