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The Dark Parables
Late in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells several parables that are dark and deceptive. I’m sure he’s doing this on purpose. It’s a test.
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Listening in parables—for Proper 23A
There’s something about parables we just get. They connect with us better than any other teaching. And they have far more depth.
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From a Mustard Seed
For SundayThird Sunday after Pentecost Collect Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one…
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Generous and Just
Jesus’s parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) doesn’t seem fair. But that’s because we don’t want it to be. Proper 20A | Matthew 20:1-16 For those who have not heard this gospel story before, or hardly recognize it, you can probably tell right away it is one of the most hated parables…
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Money – evil or blessing?
As a Christian, I hate talking about money. I remember walking into a Roman Catholic church years ago. My girlfriend at the time was Catholic. And lucky us, the priest preached about giving to the congregation. We came back two weeks later and heard another sermon about giving money to the church. Not just a little.…
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Bridging the Gap
a homily for Proper 21C Text: Luke 16:19-31 Picturing the People Listen again to the opening sentences of this parable. Hear it. Close your eyes and take it in. There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay…
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They Came Closer
I love and hate the good parables. The really good ones. The ones that have so many ways in. The ones that give you so many things to say. Like the one from Sunday. I still dwell on them for days afterward. I have trouble moving on. Maybe I haven’t been preaching long enough to…
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With Our Lives, Together
a Homily for Proper 6B – Text: Mark 4:26-34 Two Teachings Some here have noticed that I ask questions. I like to tell the group there are no right answers. That this is not question and answer time, but question and response time. That I’m not looking for something specific, but I want to hear…