Drew Downs
-
Confused by Racism
•
5 min read
For many, talking about racism and white supremacy is hard. Of course, that’s by design. The white power movement intends to confuse you. The terms always guide the debate. But sometimes we mistake our seeking clarity of the terms for doing the work. There are so many names for racists and their organizations. Are we…
-
Interpretation
•
7 min read
Jesus decries our reluctance to see what’s wrong with our world. Not because we can’t see it. But because we refuse to do what we need to do. Jesus and the gathering storm cloudsProper 15C | Luke 12:49-56 Jesus just opened up a can, didn’t he? And what is supposed to happen next goes one…
-
In-Between: Luke 12:41-48
•
5 min read
A look at the gaps in the lectionary. This week: the gap between Proper 14C and Proper 15C. I’ll be honest. The lectionary skipping over this text is a pretty solid move. It is bleak. And not just a little bit ripe for confusion. Through the twelfth chapter, Luke has been committed to keeping it…
-
When Freedom Knocks
•
7 min read
Jesus gives us a response to the questions of our time. In the face of fear and confusion, he offers something clear: a world to transform. And you’re too afraid to answerProper 14C | Luke 12:32-40 When somebody says “Do not be afraid,” my first response is Wait, should I be? I want to know…
-
In-Between: Luke 12:22-31
•
5 min read
A look at the gaps in the lectionary. This week: the gap between Proper 13C and Proper 14C. Last week, the lectionary jumped from the beginning of chapter 11 into the middle of chapter 12. What we skipped over were teachings in which Jesus expands the sense of what it means to love one’s neighbor.…
-
In the Eyes
•
11 min read
By the time we get to Luke 12:13-21, Jesus has radically rejected our will to racism and hate, revealing the true way of life is equality and love. Standing for dignity means also standing against indignityProper 13C | Luke 12:13-21 I know you are super excited to hear a sermon about a real estate question,…