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A Pastor’s Response to General Convention #77
We aren’t the Rotary. We aren’t a country club. We aren’t civil society. We aren’t a local government. We aren’t a Lodge or an Order or anything like that. We are the church and the church is different. We forget that sometimes. And in many ways. When we get together to set up the…
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Bad Coverage of Good News
After a week of incredible, humbling work, the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church closed last week with a flurry of activity. A week of prayer, worship, discernment, and decision found the church wrestling with serious and substantive questions. More importantly, it appears, finding its voice. A new group of people I deeply respect…
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Eating Again, Together
a Homily for Proper 8B Text: Mark 5:21-43 The Physical Presence From the moment Jesus pulled the fishermen from the sea to follow him, to learn to fish anew, we have been following along. We have witnessed healings and exorcisms, teachings and miracles. Each movement an opportunity to learn about Jesus and to test our…
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What It Takes To Be Family
a Homily for Proper 5B Text: Mark 3:20-35 Jesus is surrounded. He’s trapped. No way out. This morning’s story opens with a claustrophobic scene. This enormous crowd that has been following Jesus is getting out of hand. He has already feared getting trampled. Now they are closing He and his disciples in. They can’t go…
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Something Better Than Jesus?
a Homily for Pentecost, year B Text: John 15:26-16:15, Acts 2:1-21 The Confused Followers Our gospel pericope from John continues our theme from the last few weeks: Jesus is leaving His disciples, but don’t worry; they will have what they need: ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the…
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For Good, He Leaves
a Homily for Easter 7B Text: John 17:6-19 Jesus leaves twice. We forget that. We celebrate Jesus dying and rising again. But Jesus doesn’t rise like a ghost on the way up to the clouds. Jesus comes to his disciples and clears the air. Think of it this way. In preparing for his death, Jesus…
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Love and Sacrifice
a Homily for Easter 6B Text: John 15:9-17 Last week’s Gospel pericope ended with verses 7 and 8 which read: If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and…