Posts

"Choosing to be a Neighbor" **sermon for 13 July 2025, Proper 10C**

  It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood A beautiful day for a neighbor Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Many, if not most of us here, grew up with these words.   Perhaps we watched the show as youngsters.   Maybe we saw it with children or grandchildren.   Or at least we are familiar enough to know where they come from.   Each episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood began with Fred Rogers singing this song as he entered his home.   A lawyer comes to Jesus asking how he can be sure of eternal life.   The lawyer wants to be sure that he has earned a place in God’s heavenly kingdom.   And, on the surface, the lawyer has succeeded.   He has done everything right.   He can even recite the two great commandments: love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus’ response to the lawyer’s question of “who is my neighbor?” is to tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan.   The Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ ...

"Come, Holy Spirit!" **sermon for Pentecost, 8 June 2025, Year C**

  "Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum, fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.             Who could understand what I said?   (No offense, John, you have an unfair advantage).   Anyone else besides John?   Perhaps the cadence gave it away.   I was praying part of the Lord’s Prayer in Latin!   Very fitting on this day of Pentecost.   Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church.           Pentecost tells us that 50 days have passed Easter.   That is how we get the name, Pentecost.   Pente fifty.   Cost days.   The festival of Pentecost (or weeks) has its roots in the Jewish tradition.   Pentecost is one of the three high holy days of obligation, along with Passover and The Festival of Booths.   The festival explains the diverse audie...

"Holy Unity" ** a sermon for 7 Easter, 1 June 2025**

  Let’s get some context here.   This is the end of Jesus’ “high priestly” prayer.   Jesus and his friends have shared a meal together.   Jesus has washed their feet and given them the commandment to “love one another.”   Judas has left the group to betray Jesus.   Jesus brings the other disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.             Jesus prays for the coming hours.   Jesus knows the betrayal and suffering that are ahead.   Jesus initially prays for the cup to pass.   To not undergo the fate that awaits Him.   A very natural and human response.   But, then Jesus also prays for the strength and courage to endure—Your will, God, not mine Jesus prays in the Garden (see Luke 22:39-46)             At such a time, it reasonable for Jesus to only think of Himself.   Yet Jesus spends a significant time praying ...

"In Memoriam" **Lion's Roar for June**

  My sincere thanks to all who expressed their sympathy on the recent passing of my beloved cat, Shalimar.  I truly appreciate the words and cards of condolences. Shalimar rescued me in June of 2005.   I was living in Columbia, Missouri at the time.   We do not know Shalimar’s full history before she came to the shelter.   The Vet believes Shalimar was around one year old at the time I adopted her.   So, while my heart is broken, I am grateful for the almost 20 years we had together. LBC, Little Bombay Cat, as I often called her, was a shy yet sweet and affectionate cat.   She loved to come up on my bed in the morning and at night to be petted and told how beautiful and what a good girl she was.   Sometime, during the night, she would surprise me by jumping up on the bed and letting out a soft “meow” to let me know she was there. Our animal companions bring us so much joy, companionship, and love.   The Rectory feels empty without her p...

"New Beginnings" ** a sermon for 4 Easter C on 4 May 2025**

             Winter gives way to Spring.   Graduation from High School or College.   A new job or a promotion.   A well-earned retirement.   The birth of children or grandchildren.   Life-saving heart surgery or cancer treatment.   Life gives you and me many opportunities for new beginnings.   An opportunity to start new and fresh. This morning Simon Peter begins to live in to his name—the Rock.   Peter previously denies knowing Jesus during Jesus’ trials.   You remember that Peter is outside, in the courtyard keeping warm.   Three times Peter is asked about his relationship to Jesus.   Each time Peter denies having any kind of relationship with Jesus. Jesus appears to Peter and the others several times after the resurrection.   Today we hear about the disciples encountering Jesus by the Sea.   After a breakfast of fish, Jesus gets real with Peter.   “Peter, do you love Me?’ Jesu...

"Kyrios Christos" * a sermon for 2 Easter, Year C, 27 April 2025**

              The Christian community lost someone special this past week.   Even though “the Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction here,” [1] I prayed for Francis during his recent illness and hospitalization.   Many, Christian and non-Christian alike, also prayed for Francis.   Such was the power of Jorge Mario Bergoglio (to use his given name). Jorge was, by all accounts, a gentle and humble person.   He chose to forgo the papal stipend and did not sleep in the Papal Apartment.   Francis also did not wear the usual fancy silk vestments and red shoes of previous popes.   His burial arrangements are also simple- one coffin in a lesser-known church as opposed to under St. Peter’s Basilica.             Like his namesake, Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis was a determined advocate for the poor and marginalized.   A Vatican plaza became a homeless shelter.   Ma...

"Easter in a Good Friday World" **Sermon for Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025**

              It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”             So begins “A Tale of Two Cities.”   I can think of no better words to describe this present moment.   Dickens writes in 1859 to describe pre-Revolution France.   And I am sure I am not alone in this train of the thought.   I think even the people in the Bible can relate.   Maybe, you can, too.             Darkness, the absence of light, is a prelude to God working in the Biblical narrative.   All is in darkness before God calls forth creation.   No light is seen from noon u...