Tag Archives: discipleship

The table

Posted on September 1, 2019 by

Ironically, while we are deciding where to seat him, Jesus is busy setting the table himself. And his invitation is clear:
Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.
Come to me, you who are thirsty, and I will give you living water to drink.
Come, eat of the bread of life, and I will raise you up. Continue reading →

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An ordination sermon: submittere

Posted on February 27, 2019 by

It is in the most intractable problems of the world and its children that we find ourselves unable to proclaim our own greatness, nor believe in our own glory. It is here, at the end of hope, that we find ourselves gathered once more with Jesus at the table, with the people whom he most loves, the ones who are broken like bread, scattered like crumbs, poured out like spilt wine. Continue reading →

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Sharkbait

Posted on January 21, 2018 by

If we give up on Nineveh, we run the risk that instead of becoming fishers of men, we become like Jonah, in need of a fishing vessel to rescue us from the deep water we get ourselves into when we turn our backs on the grace and mercy that God has for all that God has made. Continue reading →

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Nazareth, Norway, Nathaneal

Posted on January 13, 2018 by

“What do you know of me?” Nathaneal demanded.
“I know enough,” answered Jesus.
“Oh, Christ,” Nathaneal swore.
“You have no idea,” replied the Christ. Continue reading →

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Year C Proper 18: One lousy sales pitch

Posted on September 8, 2013 by

The other day, during a screening of the final movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy – the one where all of the final battles happen and the last-ditch attempts to overcome evil in the face of incredible odds … Continue reading →

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Tomorrow’s gospel

Posted on September 7, 2013 by

“No one starts a war, Jesus says, without first calculating the chances of winning. Otherwise, they may get drawn into open-ended, unending conflict, with no clear way out, sending life chasing after death as though they hate the lives of … Continue reading →

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Year C Proper 9: Independence, interdependence, and discipleship

Posted on July 10, 2013 by

Some of you had the experience three or so years ago of hosting the Bishop’s Bike Ride as it came through town. On any given evening on the trip, thirty or so saddle sore riders roll into an Episcopal church … Continue reading →

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Year C Proper 8: Don’t look back

Posted on June 30, 2013 by

There are some hard words from Jesus in this passage: “Let the dead bury their own dead.” “No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” “The Son of Man … Continue reading →

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Year B Proper 24: Skip to glory

Posted on October 21, 2012 by

sermon for Sunday, October 21, 2012, Church of the Epiphany, Euclid, Ohio “You do not know what you are asking.” That was Jesus’ first response to James and John’s audacious requests for the places of highest honour in Jesus’ coming … Continue reading →

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Year B Proper 23: sermon

Posted on October 14, 2012 by

A sermon for October 14th 2012, preached at Church of the Epiphany, Euclid, Ohio There’s a novel by Nick Hornby which I read some years ago called How to Be Good.* In it, the protagonist, an ordinary, grumpy, middle-aged man, … Continue reading →

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