Just as Mary pours her precious potion extravagantly on the feet of Jesus, so God pours the precious life of his son for us
Lent II
Prophets are often rejected because they remind us of how far we are from God’s dream. Yet, Jesus says there is still time to be just that. We live in a society of virtue signaling and tribalism. We gain prestige in our people groups if we can be the first to denounce this or... Continue Reading →
Baptism of Our Lord
Last week we followed the journey of the wise men to Bethlehem. We admired their faith and courage to say “yes” to something beyond their comprehension and control. I called this the holy practice of saying “yes.” This week I want to talk about the holy practice of saying “no.” No is... Continue Reading →
The Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost
Two weeks ago I had the chance to worship with the Sisters of St. Mary in Sewanee. I seem to uncover a new blessing they have planted in my life with increasing regularity. About three years ago, an old priest stood up to give the Sunday sermon in the convent chapel. He... Continue Reading →
The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
What we eat is important. My home office has a window that looks out on a swath of Iowa Corn. I often think about a study done in the early 2000’s about corn. The study found that most of the carbon in our bodies originated in a corn field. The meat we eat was likely... Continue Reading →
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
The town, Nazareth, has let Jesus go but has not let Jesus grow. Ultimately, God’s life-changing, love radiating, spirit will come for us all. A prophet has no honor in his hometown. These words have meant much to me as I have, on occasion, gone back to my home parish of St. Paul’s Harlan to preach. It’s... Continue Reading →
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Jesus has revealed his loving, liberating, and life-giving identity through strategic deeds of power. Faith in Christ’s mission to bring shalom will change the world. Last week we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger. After Jesus calms the wind storm on the sea of Galilee the apostles are kind of like. Uhhh…... Continue Reading →
The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Jesus has come with the same chaos ordering agenda as his Father. He is helping his followers and, indeed the world, become a new creation. Up a creek without a paddle. Lost at sea Rutter-less These are terms and expressions that connote the feeling of vulnerability that water travel gone awry can bring. If you... Continue Reading →
The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
Jesus’ parables invite us into a ministry of creative kingdom building. We are called to be agents of imagination and practice finding the “third way.” When political dysfunction leads to human suffering, Christians are called to find a way that transcends power disputes. One of my favorite human beings on the face of this Earth... Continue Reading →
