Category Archives: sermon

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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(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?

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Boniface, Missionary and Martyr

I read and hear often that the most effective way of introducing new people to the church (or vice versa) is by personal invitation to a friend, neighbour, or grocery checkout assistant. (Let’s leave aside for now the question of … Continue reading

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Unforgivable

So you think you’ve committed the unpardonable, unforgivable, permanently staining sin. Welcome. It is amazing, isn’t it, that with all of the gospel good news telling us how much God loves us, how ready God is to forgive us, how … Continue reading

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The next verse

“not to condemn;” the part we too often judge to be forgettable.

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