Tag Archives: Luke 12:49-56

An “unsafe peace”

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Rosalind C Hughes

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 →

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Release to the captives

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Rosalind C Hughes

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 →

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Love will tear us apart

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Rosalind C Hughes

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 →

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The cross and the lightning rod

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Rosalind C Hughes

It is not the purpose of the lightning rod to be destroyed by the storm. Continue reading →

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Year C Proper 15: “I came to bring fire”

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Rosalind C Hughes

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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Tomorrow’s sermon: Fire

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Rosalind C Hughes
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