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Acting like we love Jesus
a Sermon for Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle Text: Matthew 10:16-22 Sacrifice In the years after Jesus died, his closest followers passed on stories about Him. They gathered, started new faith communities, worshiped, sang. They prayed for the Kingdom. They called out to GOD. They taught their children to do the same. They told…
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In the Wilds
a homily for Advent 2A Text: Matthew 3:1-12 In the wilderness, a hero As our story begins, it says John “appeared in the wilderness.” Other verbs would convey motion: John walked, wandered, or made his way. Our verb “appeared” lacks motion: he was not—then he was. John appeared, like an apparition, it seems from nothing.…
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Climbing Higher
a homily for Proper 26C Text: Luke 19:1-10 It so often feels that gospels about money are tricky during Stewardship Season like this. We already hate to talk about money. Bringing up economics in a homily is a tricky enough proposition during the rest of the year. It sometimes feels as if the preacher is…
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Rejecting the Cross that isn’t Christ’s
a Sermon for Good Friday C Text: John 18:1-19:42 The Cross Jesus was forced to carry it. He died on it. What more do we know about it? Jesus was being led to the outskirts of the city, right outside the front gate. This is where traitors were hanged and let to rot in the…
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A Holy Wednesday: The Day of Anointing
According to the gospel we call Mark, today is the day Jesus is anointed by a woman. To us, she has no name. After Sunday’s dramatic rebuke of Rome, Monday’s trashing of the money-changers and dove-sellers, and Tuesday’s teaching at the Temple in which he humiliates and condemns the Temple leadership, Wednesday is a true…
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Holy City (Eating Scripture)
Last week, we had the temptation in the desert, the quintessential Lenten text. This time, we get Angry Jesus. I have a soft spot for Angry Jesus. What Jesus is angry about is the stuff we already know, but rarely give attention to. It falls into two parts: the hypocrisy of leaders and their support…