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Tag Archives: Luke 12:49-56
Division
A sermon for the tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 17, 2025 You have heard it said (perhaps you have said it yourself) that we are living in the most divided era of our common and shared country, world, creation, since … Continue reading
Posted in homily, sermon
Tagged beach glass, division, fire, God, Jeremiah 23:23-29, Jesus, Luke 12:49-56, Year C Pentecost Proper 15
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Fire
Storm that breaks the sealon the dome that holds the watersof the heavens apart from watersthat brooded life into creation Storm that breaks the heateven as fire is splitting the sky,falling to the ground wrappedin quenching rain Mirrored against the … Continue reading
Posted in lectionary reflection, poetry, prayer, preparing for Sunday with poetry
Tagged Jesus, lightning, Luke 12:49-56, rainbow, Year C Proper 15
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An “unsafe peace”
It is strange that peace should be so divisive: that putting love before enmity, generosity before gain, gentleness before vengeance, patience before pride, kindness before triumph, justice before profit should be a less popular way forward than winning at all cost. But that division has been our shadow side since Cain slew Abel out of envy and Jacob cheated Esau out of his inheritance by using his own hunger against him. Continue reading
Release to the captives
Do not listen to me. The leader of the synagogue had the pulpit and he talked right past Jesus, and he was wrong. The people – the people had more sense – they saw what Jesus was doing, bringing release to the captive and rest to the weary, spreading the grace of God thick on the Sabbath bread, and they rejoiced at his incendiary kindness, his audacious mercy, his lawless love.
They heard Jesus say, “You are set free,” and they were jubilant. Continue reading
Posted in current events, sermon
Tagged Declaration of Independence, freedom, Luke 12:49-56, promise, sabbath, slavery, The 1619 project
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Love will tear us apart
The divisions that Jesus describes are growing pains, signs of the emergence of the kingdom of God. Discipleship stretches our souls to love more deeply, to forgive more recklessly. Discipleship should change us, stretch us, and there will be friction as we rub up against the tolerance of the structures that have formed us. These are the signs of the kingdom, Jesus tells us, so do not be afraid. God is willing and waiting to restore all things in God’s mercy, risking everything alongside you on the Cross, transforming its hard lines into new life through the Resurrection. Continue reading
The cross and the lightning rod
It is not the purpose of the lightning rod to be destroyed by the storm. Continue reading
Posted in sermon
Tagged cross, Edward Daly, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Jacques Hamel, Jeremiah 23:23-29, Jesus, lightning rod, Luke 12:49-56, peacemaker, Year C Proper 15
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Year C Proper 15: “I came to bring fire”
Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under, how I am strained, and constrained, and … Continue reading
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