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When We Pray
a homily for Proper 12C Text: Luke 11:1-13 The Lord Praying They have left the house of Mary and Martha and it says Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Jesus was praying,…
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Someone’s In the Kitchen With Martha…
a homily for Proper 11C Text: Luke 10:38-42 Dividing Each Other Before we get into the meat of this week’s gospel story, I want us to acknowledge something. This is a divisive gospel. There are many among us that feel recognized and justified. They feel like Mary. They love to be reminded that they are…
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Racism Is Not In Your Head
This week has been an auspicious week for racism. The strange, Saturday night acquittal of George Zimmerman, who admitted to the killing of Trayvon Martin, led the world to discuss the place of race in the criminal justice system. This was salt in the wound of those shocked by the Supreme Court’s gutting of the…
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Sweating It Out: celebrating the Eucharist in a hoodie
I had trouble sleeping Saturday night. I was angry. Angry that George Zimmerman wouldn’t be punished, for the fear that has beset the African American community, for all the bullshit post-racism talk of my white neighbors. Mostly, I was angry that I was feeling powerless as a church leader to express myself. It frightened me…
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Along the Road: The Good Samaritan, Trayvon Martin, and what it means to be a neighbor
a homily for Proper 10C Text: Luke 10:25-37 Unwrapping the Layers We call this the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A traveler is beaten, left for dead, passed by on the road to Jerusalem, and finally helped by this stranger. It is a story so familiar, so recognizable, that any number of us could tell…
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You Are the Servant Leader
“You’re the pastor” This is the gentle reminder many clergy receive: as if we’ve forgotten. It usually happens when we’ve invited our people into sharing leadership of a ministry. We say “you can do this” and they say “but you’re the pastor”. And for those of us that wear the dog collar, we get reminded…
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Confused by Jesus
a homily for Proper 8C Text: Luke 9:51-62 Confused by Jesus Everybody is confused. James and John are confused. These three seekers are confused. We are definitely confused. We are confused by Jesus. There is no other explanation for our behavior. This part of the gospel we call Luke reveals a moment of true confusion.…
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Saved from our own demons
a homily for Proper 7C Text: Luke 8:26-39 Listen to the homily here and read along below The Man I feel bad for this guy. We don’t know his real name. He is cast out from the city, living naked, possessed by many demons, despised and reviled. If we are being honest, we use him…