Category Archives: sermon

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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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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