Category Archives: sermon preparation

In bodily form

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Rosalind C Hughes

When our bodies betray us, let us down, we berate them, hesitate to call them holy, when, after all, they are the sacrament of God’s creative genius, each featherlight touch a reminder of the love that engendered our creation, redemption, … Continue reading →

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

John’s backstory

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

(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 →

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

Christ the King, King George, and Elvis

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

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 →

Posted in sermon preparation | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hannah’s hope: Eli’s affirmation

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

One last story about Hannah and me before Sunday. Eli saw Hannah praying in the temple, and assumed that she was drunk, because her lips were moving but she made no sound. He tried to send her away; but she … Continue reading →

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

Hannah’s hope: Anticipation

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

I don’t often tell this story, because it makes me seem a little bit mad. But Hannah understands. Hannah left the temple and she ate and drank and her countenance was no longer sad. She wasn’t pregnant; she had no … Continue reading →

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

Hannah’s hope

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

I could say a lot about Hannah. I feel as though I almost know her, I have almost met her, across a crowd, just out of reach. I recognize her, the tilt of her head, her hair obscuring her face. … Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 27: All

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Naomi had lost everything. She had nothing left to lose, nowhere left to go but home, no one on whom to lean, on whom she had a claim. So she gave it all up, sent her daughters-in-law away, tore up … Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 24: Sunday sermon spoiler alert

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

“You do not know what you are asking.” One commentator that I read this week suggested that when James and John asked to sit at the right and the left hand of Jesus when he came into his glory, they … Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 23: Some novel assistance

Posted on October 13, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

Some further deliberations on the rich young man gospel (Mark 10: 17-31), with help from a Nick Hornby novel.* (Sunday sermon spoiler alert!): There’s a novel by Nick Hornby which I read some years ago called How to be Good. … Continue reading →

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

Year B Proper 23: Poor little rich boy

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Rosalind C Hughes

“No one is good but God.” It was a warning. It was the truth. The rich young ruler had plenty of responsibilities weighing him down like heavy garments, like fur rugs and gold chains. He was weary; he was worried. … Continue reading →

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