Category Archives: sermon

Persistent blessings

If you are following Track 2, you may be interested in the experience of Jacob, who wrestled a blessing from God: May your prayers be heard without harm,     and the intercession of your heart received with gentleness. Otherwise, from … Continue reading

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A blessing for former lepers

May you always have cause to remember God, pause to give thanks for the One who is your Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer; and may God’s blessing follow you and face you, this day and for ever. Amen.

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The not ungrateful leper

It was not ingratitude silenced me, but inadequacy; the paucity of my language; the paltry dance of palsied limbs, trembling as a fawn, trembling as one newly born, barely breathing; rasping out music as though the song had been buried … Continue reading

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Worthless

We had a church full of animals this morning, so I kept the sermon brief and, hopefully, to the point. I did say a little more, but here was the crux of the matter, reckons this worthless slave: Jesus asked, … Continue reading

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Mustard seed blessings

We had an interesting discussion at Bible Study this week on the slave parables and sayings of Jesus. The harsh judgement that is rendered this Sunday: Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when … Continue reading

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Of refrigerators, the Borg, and Jesus’ prayer for his disciples

A homily for Unity at the first Euclid Ecumenical Service at the Cathedral Worship Center of Euclid, Ohio We read from John 17. You know those public prayers where the person praying ostensibly addresses themselves to God, but in reality … Continue reading

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The chasms fixed between us

A sermon on Luke 16:19-31: the parable of the rich man and Lazarus The parable describes a way of life which starkly separates the rich man from the poor, the privileged from the dispossessed. It describes how these differences and … Continue reading

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Rich blessings

An ironic title, given the gospel text? This Sunday, we hear of Lazarus and the rich man, known by some as Dives, although that may or may not be what his brothers called him. Paul warns that the love of … Continue reading

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Pray even for kings

A sermon for Year C Proper 20: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 For Paul to write in his letter that we should pray for kings is akin almost to Jesus’ commandment that we pray for our enemies. When you consider … Continue reading

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Character reference 

This week’s readings focus on character.  The virtues of honesty, faithfulness, and godliness are lifted up; although the “advice” of Jesus to “make friends by means of dishonest wealth” is a bit of a curveball. Those of us who grew … Continue reading

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