Category Archives: sermon

Beacon blessings 

The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent calls upon God for  the grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. When we handed the infant child baptized last week a lit candle, … Continue reading

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Stealing a blessing

Christ the King Sunday arrives with less pomp and circumstance than ambiguous authority; a compromised crown; the scandal of the crucifixion. Yet there is a promise to be heard: not only that we, like the thief on the cross whose … Continue reading

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“Do not be weary of doing what is right”

The work hasn’t changed since last week. But some of the challenges have. Continue reading

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Weary blessings

I apologize for skipping last week’s lectionary-based blessing post. I was overwhelmed by the choices – All Saints’ or Proper 27? Track 1 or Track 2? Narrative Lectionary or RCL? Actually, that last one’s a bit of red herring, because … Continue reading

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A post-election sermon on a pre-election Sunday

All Saints, 2016 Readings: Daniel 7:1-3,15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31 Paul wrote, “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you … Continue reading

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Prayer and empty air

A sermon for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, October 30, 2016 Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144 or Isaiah 1:10-18, Psalm 32:1-8, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 On Friday morning, I went to the new Old Fort steps at the Rocky River Metropark. They carry visitors … Continue reading

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The view from the top

empty light shuffling shadows fall out unseen if you never look down

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Climbing the blessings tree

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, Psalm 119:137-144, or Isaiah 1:10-18, Psalm 32:1-8, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, Luke 19:1-10 In this Sunday’s gospel, a long-ago tax collector reminds me of the days when our youngest child was small, but climbed higher than any of her siblings or their … Continue reading

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Where is God?

Where is God in this parable? God is the one holding up a mirror to us through our own prayers. Continue reading

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Humble blessings

For the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost in Year C (Proper 25): the Pharisee and the tax collector are praying at the Temple. One is so self-satisfied that he is blinded by his own glory; he outshines God. One is so self-abased … Continue reading

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