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Tag Archives: John the Baptist
A prayer for the preacher when words fail
January 9, 2021 Beyond Jordan, the baptizer cried repentance, preaching to snakes, devouring locusts, razing the wilderness with his words, confronting kings and drowning sins. At his neck, the knowledge of his own humility, the prickling of glory about to … Continue reading
Posted in current events, poetry, prayer, sermon preparation
Tagged John the Baptist, preaching, the baptism of Jesus, Word of God
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Good news, you brood of vipers!
“If you have two coats, give one to someone who has been left out in the cold,” offers John. It is almost literally the least we could do. Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Advent, armistice, Jesus, John the Baptist, salvation, Silent Night
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Of prophets and (im)patience
A sermon for a snowy third Sunday of Advent in Euclid, Ohio. Isaiah 35:1-10, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Canticle 15 (the Song of Mary) Isaiah the prophet wrote the better part of three thousand years ago, maybe in the eighth century BCE, “Here is your … Continue reading
Posted in Advent Meditations
Tagged Isaiah, John the Baptist, Magnificat, Year A Advent 3
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Year C Advent 3: Rejoice anyway
The third Sunday in Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. The rose candle is lit – if one is used – and the readings rejoice in God our saviour. Gaudete! Rejoice always, as the letter to the Philippians commands. And … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Christmas, gaudete, John the Baptist, Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4, Zephaniah
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Family entertainment
“Off with his head!” cried the Queen of Hearts. It had all begun much earlier, with a powerless princess, pawn pushed about in a dizzying dance by the Queen and her King; the Bishop turned slantwise away, his excited disapproval … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged Alice in Wonderland, John the Baptist, Salome
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Wild honey
I will not be preaching about John the Baptist tomorrow, but I have been thinking about his wild honey habit and the sweetness of such mercies found along the way. Each of my mothers, who were both called Ann(e), had … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, meditation, other words
Tagged adoption, bees, family, honey, John the Baptist
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Zechariah and the newborn
Today is the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist. According to the Gospel of Luke, when Gabriel (an archangel) announced to John’s father that his wife would conceive, Zechariah was doubtful, and Gabriel, as a sign that this … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Days, lectionary reflection, poetry
Tagged birth, John the Baptist, Luke 1, silence, speech, Zechariah
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Year A Epiphany 2: the Lamb
It seems oddly fitting that we are dedicating altar bells to the accompaniment of the Gospel reading of John announcing the arrival of the Lamb of God. Actually, there have been a couple of coincidences with the choosing and dedicating … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged Abraham, bells, Eucharist, Isaac, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Lamb of God, Passover, sacrifice
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Year A Advent 3
John sends a message from prison. Whether he is worried, depressed, or angry we don’t know; but he asks, through his disciples, “Are you the one, or are we still waiting for somebody else?” John has already told the whole … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged advent 3, Bonhoeffer, disciples, Elie Wiesel, Jesus, John the Baptist, optimism, prison
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Year A Advent 2: Snakes and other stories
There are a lot of snakes in today’s readings. In Isaiah, a small child plays over the nests of asps and adders. In Matthew, John the Baptizer calls the Pharisees a brood of vipers. Now, a quick survey of biblical … Continue reading
