Category Archives: lectionary reflection

Seeing, seen

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

It is no sin to be blind, but it is sinful willfully to avert our eyes from injustice, to pretend to see no evil, to blur out the blemishes that spoil our vision of our own lives, our own country, our own souls. “You who say you see, your sin remains,” he warns us, we who have seen the light, who have been awoken.  Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Living water: A love story

Posted on March 12, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

Read in a certain way, the banter between Jesus and the woman can sound almost like a flirtation; but the spark is the long, slow heat of the love of God that has drawn each of them to an understanding of how God so loves the world.

In the noonday, the sun has stood still as they linger in the light of eternity. Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon, story | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thaw

Posted on March 11, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten story, based on Psalm 104:29-30: When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew … Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, lectionary reflection | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Living water

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

I have always loved the sea. Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, lectionary reflection, poetry, sermon preparation, story | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Running out of water in the holy lands

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten story First in the north, between fruit trees and shade, it seemed it should be more difficult than this to die, except for the envy of avocadoes and apricots, hoarding the hidden streams of mercy for themselves; It made more sensein the south, where … Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Born of water and the Spirit

Posted on March 4, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

I am not preaching this Sunday, and there was no little Lenten story/legend this morning, so consider this an offering to replace them both. ____________ You know, although it wasn’t recorded, that when God made Adam — dust of the … Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation, story | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bread, bridge, stones

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A sermon for the first Sunday of Lent There’s a fable by Edwin Friedman called, “The Bridge”.[i] In it, a man on a mission is interrupted by a stranger on a bridge, who asks him to hold the end of … Continue reading →

Posted in homily, lectionary reflection, sermon, story | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bread

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A little Lenten story I made my own bread when the children were small, with the aid of a machine. They ate it ravenously, sometimes playing Eucharist: “This is my toast, given for you.” My eldest bequeathed me a recipe … Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, lectionary reflection | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fall silent

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

A short (but true) story for the Sunday Last before Lent: “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven” (2 Peter 1) _______ Every day, at around about eleven in the morning, the world stood still. Teachers fell quiet mid-lesson, … Continue reading →

Posted in holy days, lectionary reflection, sermon preparation, story | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fire and water

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Rosalind C Hughes

The thing about pursuing an ethic of life, an ethic of love, is that it’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of humility, a lot of patience, and a lot of forgiveness. Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment