Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Religion

  •   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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • You’ve no doubt read enough about what President Barack Obama’s public statement about gay marriage means. That is so last week. But as I’ve been catching up on my podcasts, I’ve discovered an important element missing from the coverage. What it means to the metanarrative of American politics. The Negative Much of the obvious response…