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Tag Archives: justice
A meditation on the Cross
I imagine they made it of living wood; the tree itself shared your fate,cut down in service of hateful violence,its beauty overlooked, its sacrifice, turning our exhaust into air, sweet bitterness of fruit and pollen, its praise of heaven, limbs raised high, razed to the ground with you. They did not … Continue reading
Posted in holy days, poetry, prayer
Tagged creation, cross, justice, Lent, Lenten meditation
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Bright cloud
There are those bright clouds in which we recognize God’s presence already among us, working in us and through us as we struggle to do the right thing, even when the way is obscure and foggy, even when we are terrified, even when we confronted with anger, grief, failure. The way of the cross is not an easy road, but it does lead to deliverance, to freedom from unclean spirits, eventually to resurrection. Continue reading
Posted in current events, lectionary reflection, sermon
Tagged grief, Jesus, justice, LGBTQ, Transfiguration, UMC
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Water, wine, and justice like an ever-flowing stream
On sabbatical, I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I can’t begin to describe briefly the impact of walking that history of inhumanity and human dignity set up in opposition to one another, the weight of those ceilings, each one a century, and the heaviness of your footsteps as you climb closer to our own day of reckoning. Continue reading
The Shepherd King
The judgement that Jesus describes is the judgement that the prophet Ezekiel promises to the sheep of God’s hand. “I will feed them with justice,” says the Lord.
And what is the justice with which they are fed? Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, sermon, story
Tagged Christ the King, Ezekiel 34:11-24, God, judgement, justice, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, mission, shepherd
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A louder peace
“As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.” (Matthew 10:12-13) This is Jesus, instructing his apostles, sending them … Continue reading
Persistent blessings
If you are following Track 2, you may be interested in the experience of Jacob, who wrestled a blessing from God: May your prayers be heard without harm, and the intercession of your heart received with gentleness. Otherwise, from … Continue reading
Year B Advent 2: Comfort ye my people
This sermon quotes liberally and loosely the lectionary readings for the day throughout: Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalm 85, 2 Peter 3:8-15, Mark 1:1-8 Comfort, comfort ye my people. The history of this oracle is the return of the Exiles from Babylon … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged 2Peter 3:8-15, Cleveland police department, Eric Garner, gospel, injustice, Isaiah 40:1-11, Jerusalem, justice, Mark 1:1-8, patience, Psalm 85, Tamir Rice
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Year A Proper 20: Jonah and anti-Jonah
Poor, petulant Jonah. If he couldn’t give the Ninevites hell, he wanted to at least give them purgatory. I’ve done all of this work, he said, endured all of this drama: the running away the wailing and gnashing of teeth, … Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged fair pay, God, Jesus, Jonah, justice, living wage, love, mercy, minimum wage, Nineveh, parable
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Tomorrow’s sermon: extract
“In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus goes into a synagogue, to take part in the prayer of his community. He is faithful in his observance, and he is obedient to his tradition. He sees a woman in need of healing, and … Continue reading
Remembering Rachel
A few months ago, my teenaged daughter asked if she coud go urban exploring. Of course, I said no. Acknowledging that it sounded intriguing and exciting and that I could certainly see the artistic possibilities, I pointed out that it … Continue reading