Category Archives: sermon

Year C Advent 3: Rachel refused to be consoled

Here’s Matthew’s gospel, telling what happened not long after Jesus was born: Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in … Continue reading

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Broody vipers

“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You broody vipers!” (Luke 3:7 … almost)

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Year C Advent 2: John’s story: to be continued

The first in a two-part mini sermon series at Church of the Epiphany, Euclid There is a backstory to today’s gospel. Luke gives us lots of context: who was ruling where, and had been for how long; he gives us … Continue reading

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John’s backstory

(Sunday sermon spoiler alert!) There is a backstory to today’s gospel. Luke gives us lots of context: who was ruling where, and had been for how long; he gives us a snapshot of the political situation, the state of the … Continue reading

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Zechariah finds his voice

This week, we get to read the Song of Zechariah, the loosened tongue of a man whose loins have finally produced an heir after decades of longing and loss; the praise of a priest who was struck dumb by the … Continue reading

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Unexpected gifts: Saint Nicholas

A homily for Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland’s Evensong celebration of the Feast of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra As a child, I heard the story of Jesus welcoming the children and he was the antidote to unfriendly adults, the ones who frowned … Continue reading

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Year C Advent 1: New Year’s Resolutions

I think that it was the phrase, “dissipation, drunkenness and the worries of this life,” heard just now in the gospel according to Luke, that made me think of New Year’s resolutions. New Year’s resolutions. We’ve all made them. We’ve … Continue reading

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Luke 21:25-36

Dissipation, drunkenness and the worries of this life circle their prey; the room dizzies, spins, sickening; swirling skirts’ colours and patterns staining the food, pulling you into the dance; something is calling, falling … snapping back into sharp-edged focus, technicolor … Continue reading

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Christ the King Sunday

When Israel first asked for a king, they went to the prophet Samuel and said, “give us a king to govern us like all the other nations have,” and Samuel was angry and had words with God, and God said, … Continue reading

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Christ the King, King George, and Elvis

This Sunday is Christ the King Sunday. Some people are calling it the Reign of Christ Sunday, because of revolutionary or other associations which render the title of king less than desirable in their imaginations. Imagination is key when it … Continue reading

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