Category Archives: sermon

The strange story of Barry Baker

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

There are occasional joys in being a borderline hoarder. This week at Bible Study, we were looking at the Gospel for the coming Sunday, and feeling as bewildered as the poor people in the passage wondering what the devil Jesus … Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 14: “goodness can go viral, too”

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

I have been where Elijah was. Not the physical location, exactly; Mount Horeb is thought to be in the south of the country, and I was in the north, staying at a kibbutz near the Lebanese border. It was a … Continue reading →

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

more than watchmen for the morning

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

In the silence before the dawn,
in the fearful shadows that embalm
the edges of sleep, each sound
is amplified: Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 13: What kind of messiah do you want?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

When the people had been fed with the loaves and the fishes, they tried to capture Jesus to make him a king, but he slipped away. When they tracked him down, he confronted them, “Look! It’s not enough to want me to feed you miracles every day, loaves and fishes, manna and quail. There is more to the life of God, life with God, than the occasional miracle.” Continue reading →

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

Unmiracle

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

A miracle is, by definition, unlikely to happen. When our daughter was ten, I lost her in the woods. She was ten, and actively honing her skills in defiance, contrariness, and flouncing. It was our first visit after moving away, … Continue reading →

Posted in current events, lectionary reflection, prayer, story | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year B Proper 12: Breaking bread

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

“All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee,” many of us grew up intoning at every Offertory presentation. We are familiar with the concept that all that we have is of God, and that there … Continue reading →

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

Family entertainment

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

“Off with his head!” cried the Queen of Hearts. It had all begun much earlier, with a powerless princess, pawn pushed about in a dizzying dance by the Queen and her King; the Bishop turned slantwise away, his excited disapproval … Continue reading →

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

My Jairus moment

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

The “problem” with finishing a sermon on Friday night is that it leaves far too much room for reflection, inspiration, and downright interference by the Holy Spirit. Here is the version of the sermon I preached Saturday night at St … Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 8: Jairus, Jesus, gay marriage, and grace

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

This is an updated and expanded version of a sermon that appeared in an earlier draft form, and replaces that post. A few short weeks ago, was Jairus among those religious leaders who thought Jesus mad, even demon-possessed, coming out … Continue reading →

Posted in sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Year B Proper 7: partial Christianity and false peace

Posted on June 21, 2015 by Rosalind C Hughes

On Wednesday of last week, in a city a few hours from here, Loretta Lynch was finally sworn in as Attorney General, the first African American woman to hold the position. During the ceremony, she used a bible that had … Continue reading →

Posted in sermon | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment