Category Archives: sermon

A prophet without honour

Two brothers grew up a few years apart. They were close for a time, but grew somewhat apart. They moved in different circles. The elder brother worked hard and achieved some recognition, even notoriety. Every so often the younger brother … Continue reading →

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

Healthcare and healing

It is tempting, as many have observed, to link this Sunday’s readings to this Thursday’s Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Politics from the pulpit are tricky. The need to be prophetic and the need to … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The seating plan

I can see today’s story being used in the early church to combat the subtle prejudices, favouritisms, and snubs that might otherwise have kept from full inclusion and assimilation new Christians, non-Jewish Christians, Christians from other countries, cultures and languages. … Continue reading →

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

Year B, Proper 7: “To thine own (God-given) self be true”

St Andrew’s, Elyria, OH; Saturday June 23rd 2012/Sunday June 24th 2012 David and Goliath. It’s one of the stories that we grew up with; one of the dramatic biblical episodes that makes it into all the children’s illustrated Bibles; the … Continue reading →

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

Bernard Mizeki and the ultimate blasphemy

It’s back – the unforgivable sin, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, tucked into the readings for the commemoration of Bernard Mizeki, catechist and martyr. This time, we read Luke’s contextualization of the epigram. It is interesting in its little … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Year B Proper 6: Through God’s eyes

A Saturday night homily for St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Elyria, OH. Come see us some time! How would you describe Jesus to someone who had no idea who this man was or what he meant to the world? Where would … Continue reading →

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

Does size matter?

Last week, the elders of Israel were quite rude and unmannerly to Samuel, declaring him “old,” and demanding a king. Samuel was justifiably offended, but God told him to go ahead and give them a king (1 Samuel 8). God … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2 Corinthians and the naive faith of Henry Vaughn

When I was twelve, my English teacher told my parents that I was quite naive in my reading of the class poetry assignments. I knew why she said that. We had been reading Henry Vaughn, who seemed almost jealous of … Continue reading →

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

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

Earlier this week I posted “Unforgivable,” a meditation on how we read and receive the threat of unforgivable sin as presented in this week’s gospel. I shied away from defining the unpardonable; blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. I maintain that … Continue reading →

Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(no) Walking on the water

We are frequently offered an image of a Jesus who flouted lesser regulations; a transgressor of boundaries; a rebel. Is the story of the walk across the water an example of this?

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