Tag Archives: immigration

Envy is the enemy of the gospel

A sermon for Sunday, September 26 at the Church of the Epiphany, Euclid. In the readings, disciples of Moses and Jesus object to unauthorized deployment of the Spirit. In the news, images of border patrols chasing immigrants with horses, and … Continue reading

Posted in current events, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What we owe one another

If you have been in that line at the airport, you have seen the individuals and families pulled aside, sent to the back room, a cage of windows, to await further scrutiny after the line has been processed and dismissed. If you were in the line, your passport stamped, passed on to customs to collect your bags, you may have wondered what happened to those people in that side room, who they might be, and why they were there. Continue reading

Posted in current events, story | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It is too light a thing

We see our fellow godchildren as like us, or not like us, or invisible to us. But it is God’s salvation that we proclaim, and that we claim for ourselves, and God created light to shine from one end of the universe to the other.
The light of God’s salvation is for everyone. It is the light which enlightens every body, which lifts every burden, which anoints every wound with healing. Continue reading

Posted in current events, holy days, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Go back home

On my better days, I might take the time to explain that it would be more appropriate not to choose any person’s story for them, assuming a whole lot about their history,  their identity, their family, their future. Continue reading

Posted in current events, story | Tagged | 1 Comment

Do good. Don’t stop.

The seventy returned to Jesus excited and amped up, saying, “You should see how we owned the forces of evil! How we slayed in the name of the Spirit! We are on fire!”
And Jesus said, “Yesss. Awesome. You are amazing. You are undefeatable. I know, I know that the way of love wins (because, ahem, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life). I know that you have it in you to do great things. But, not to rain on your parade or anything, but … Do not become distracted, even by your own indisputable awesomeness, from the way of love.” Continue reading

Posted in current events, homily, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Epiphany: we need another way

What I didn’t write in the parish newsletter This Sunday, we celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men at the manger; the completion of many a Christmas tableau. On Christmas Eve, we pondered a moment how the birth of a … Continue reading

Posted in holy days | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

As God is my promise

What would the world be if we all acted as Elizabeth? How would it be if we were to greet everyone as Mary, the God-bearer, since we know that everyone who passes before us bears the image of God? Continue reading

Posted in advent meditations, lectionary reflection, sermon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stand up for Advent

Do not become consumed by signs of turmoil. Stand up. Raise your heads. Give voice to the gospel. Expect God. Continue reading

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

Mother of exiles

We gathered in song in a baseball park adjacent to the prison. Our hosts advised us that the women inside could hear us rallying and praying on their behalf. Continue reading

Posted in current events, gun violence, prayer, story | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Deliver us from evil

As a Christian I am bound by the Law to love God and to love my neighbor. As an Episcopalian I have promised to respect the dignity of every human being. As an American citizen, I am horrified that our government is using the forced removal of children to punish and intimidate parents who would seek asylum, refuge, or simply a home in these United States. Such practice is antithetical to human dignity, human rights, and God’s intention for the human family. Continue reading

Posted in current events | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment