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Category Archives: sermon
Everyday holiness
Although they had warned him against her, there was nothing untoward in her touch. The salt of her tears drew out his skin as though it reached back toward her. She dried his toes with her hair, barely tickling; no … Continue reading
Year B Lent 5: love with the lights on
It’s a big decision, to turn on the light, invite someone into your face, into your space, into your truth, your way, your life. Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged community, greeting, Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 12:20-33, newcomers
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Year B Lent 4: snakes alive
There comes a time, Jesus tells Nicodemus, to look up, and to trust God, even though you know there are snakes snapping at your ankles, even though you know there is more work to do, more wilderness to slog through, more sin to solve, more than you can shake a stick at; there comes a time to look up and to trust God, even though what you see looking back is the serpent that bit you; even though what you see is the Son of Man crucified, dying on a cross. For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Ephesians 2:1-10, For God so loved the world, Jesus, John 3:14-21, Moses, Nicodemus, Numbers 21:4-9, snakes
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Prayer drought
A reflection for the Lenten collection of the Diocese of Ohio. From the day’s readings: “Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who was mute spoke, and the crowds were … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, meditation, poetry, prayer
Tagged Diocese of Ohio, Lent, Luke 11:14, prayer
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Year B Lent 3: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast
There’s something unusual about the way that John’s gospel tells the story of the cleansing of the temple. Each of the four gospels tells some version of this event, and they are, for biblical accounts, surprisingly close in detail to … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged cleansing the temple, death, Eucharist, ferguson, Jerusalem, Jesus, John, Passover, Selma, Spong, Year B Lent 3
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Pigeon
I like to hang around the fountains, water coolers of the city, where traffic intersects, dropping crumbs of cake and gossip, lies and lives. Few notice me, but in the moment that it takes their breath to fall I have named … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, meditation, poetry, sermon preparation
Tagged ark, creation, dove, fountain, pigeon, sacrifice, temple cleansing, water, Year B Lent 3
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Year B Lent 2: putting a spin on the gospel
One of the good things to come out of the trials and tribulations of Brian Williams and Bill O’Reilly, in hot water over the accuracy of their memories of reporting from dangerous places, accused of polishing their credentials, of burnishing … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Abraham, Bill O'Reilly, Brian Williams, cross, denial, despair, faith, God won't give you more than you can handle, gospel, Jesus, lies, memory, Paul, Peter, spin
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Simon Peter Says
Think positive Put on a brave face Put your best foot forward Do not waver Do not speak of death and it will not happen Do not look upon the cross and it will not crush you Look on the … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, sermon preparation
Tagged Jesus, mark 8:31-38, Peter, way of the cross, Year B Lent 2
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Year B Lent 1: aftermath
Why – why in God’s name would God, of all people, need to set a reminder to remember not to wipe out creation? We tell the story to our children, that the rainbow was a gift from God to remind … Continue reading
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