Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

God

  • a homily for Proper 19C Text: Luke 15:1-10 In or Out? There are a million different ways to enter into this gospel. It is a familiar enough one that some of our long-tenured members are likely to have heard them all. The favorite approach is this one: these are two of the three “lost” parables:…

  • To Choose

    a homily for Proper 18C Text: Luke 14:25-33 Listen and read along! The Choice This might shock you, but when pastors get together, we talk about you. Not you in the particular. We talk about congregations and what we hear each Sunday as we shake hands. This is often the only time we get feedback…

  • Out of love

    a homily for Proper 17C Text: Luke 14:1,7-14     The rude one We have all had the common experience of the cell phone conversation at the checkout. We are patiently waiting in line for our turn, while the person in front of us is yacking away about somebody named Tiffany and how her daughter…

  • a homily for Proper 16C Text: Luke 13:10-17   The third time’s a charm Let me start with a conceit. As is so often the case, what Jesus says and does is not heard the same way by everyone. Jesus is breaking the law. For those who benefit from the lawbreaking, particularly the woman in…

  • No Worries

    a homily for Proper 14C Text: Luke 12:32-40 Hoard Thinking all the way back to last week, Jesus was asked to settle a property dispute. Two brothers were arguing over property and invite Jesus, the holy man, to help them settle it. Seems natural enough. Let’s call on the guy who can help us settle on…

  •   Pharaoh gives away his power to a man that was locked in his dungeon. Seems like a stupid move. I’m no leadership guru, but that seems like a pretty bad idea. In our weekly Bible study at St. Paul’s, we’ve been taking our time, as we walk through Genesis, one chapter per week. Last…