Poetry. If we read this story of Jesus’ celebrity and fame as it crashes and burns into the cinders of torture and death as prose then we will starve it of oxygen and all that gives it life. If next … [Read more...]
From the Archives for 5 Lent
No Numbing Lectionary Link for 5 Lent: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/ Naked, dry bleached bones a hoarse whisper of a long ago death. Stench screams its rotten flesh … [Read more...]
Gettysburg Address and the Gospel of John
Here is part of a speech so famous, everyone sitting here today, knows it. “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation conceived in Liberty, and … [Read more...]
Get Rid of the Cross
This sermon was delivered at a mid-week Lenten service at Geneva (NY) Presbyterian Church. “Cross Culture: the cross we wear, the cross we bear.” Well, Deb knows me well enough to know I can’t … [Read more...]
Imagination
Today we are going to challenge a popular understanding of “imagination.” Webster’s has three definitions: “…the ability to imagine things that are not real.” Or more specifically: “the … [Read more...]
Squeezed Between Mom & Mother-in-Law
Find the Gospel text from Mark at this link: https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//texts.php?id=64 This sermon is about the healing nature of tension. Yes, you heard that correctly: the … [Read more...]
Holding Hands With Our Demons
TEXTS for Preaching Gospel of Mark 1:21-28 The Decision by Jane Hershfield There is a moment before a shape hardens, a color sets. Before the fixative or heat of kiln. The … [Read more...]
No Blind Faith
TEXTS for Preaching Gospel of Mark 1:14-20 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has … [Read more...]
Falling into the Stars, or Down the Steps to the Basement of the Self
2 Epiphany, Year B, 2018 Some people love the night sky, some people do not. Those that do, can look above to darkened dome splashed with glitter and feel invited to wonder. Those that … [Read more...]
Straddling the In-between
Text (sort of): Luke 2:22-40 We are straddling the in-between. Christmas has not ended but only the liturgical churches are still observing it. It is not the new year yet, but everyone is about … [Read more...]