Sermons

It’s the second Sunday of Easter,which means we meet themost-maligned disciple after Judas:Thomas the Twin,more famously known as “Doubting Thomas,”the only disciplethat is known primarilyfor an adjective—doubting. Thousands of sermons have been preachedabout poor Thomas,about his doubts,some criticizing him,some sympathizing with him,but, frankly, mostly getting it wrong. After all, Thomas isn’t the interesting one here.He’s […]Read more “Breath of New Life”

Like women thousands of years before them and even in our day, they went to the place where their beloved friend lay – a stone tomb, given by Joseph of Arimethea, where Jesus had been placed after his death, wrapped in cloths, the stone at the entrance rolled closed, before the sun set marking the […]Read more “We Remember”

HOSANNA! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! That’s what they shoutedas Jesus entered Jerusalem;that’s what they shoutedas they spread their cloaksand spread branches before him,welcoming him asthey would welcome royalty. We said, “Hosanna!”We sang, “We are marching in the light of God”and “All Glory […]Read more “Save Us”

In the 2014 movie Pride,there is a scene of lovelinessthat you know you shouldn’t fall for,but do. A woman stands upin a crowded room full of talk and confusionand begins to singin a haunting voice;soon a few more womenstand to sing with her,then the whole room.All are joined in song,and tears prick your eyes. Pride […]Read more “Bread and Roses”

“There was a man who had two sons…” How many of you, when Suzanne got to this third sentence of today’s Gospel from Luke, said to yourself, “oh, yes, I know this story. Younger son asks for his inheritance. Father gives it to him. Son goes off and squanders his money in dissolute and riotous […]Read more “Everybody’s Invited”

We all know thatthe word “Gospel”means “Good News,”but there seems to belittle good in today’spassage from Luke’s Gospel. The crowd tells Jesusabout the latest tragedy:Pilate’s thugs entered the Temple,slaughtering Jews while at worship.To add insult,they mingled their bloodwith the sacrificesthey were making at the altar. Jesus responds with a storythat’s not good and not even […]Read more “Gratitude and Repentance”

Today we find ourselvesin the desert,as we do every yearon the first Sunday in Lent,witnessing Jesus alonein a barren landscape,a place known thennot as an empty place,but a place inhabitedby frightening evil.It is there that Jesusis tempted for 40 days by the devil. At the end of those 40 days,the devil, evil, slithers upto Jesus, […]Read more “A Cosmic Conflict”

It’s a strange thingto show up at churchon a weekday,all for the purposeof hearing about the needto repent, to take up some disciplines,and to be reminded that we will die,as we are marked with ashes. It’s strange, but it turns outthat at least in the RCCand many of the historicliturgical churches,Ash Wednesday is one ofthe […]Read more “The Most Honest Day of the Year”

All were astounded at the greatness of God.They were astonished on the mountaintop,where Jesus had taken a few disciples—Peter, James, and John—to pray after he had revealedsome terrible truths to them:that he was going to have to suffer,be rejected and killedand that if they want to follow himthey’re going to have to take up their […]Read more “Mountaintop Moments”

A few years agoAnderson Cooper interviewed Stephen Colbert—perhaps you’ve seen it? During that interview,Cooper quotes Colbert sayingin an earlier interview,“What punishments from God are not gifts?” This was Colbert’s responsewhen asked about the plane crashthat killed his father and two brotherswhen he was only 10 years old. Cooper repeats the line—What punishments from God are […]Read more “You Are Not Alone”

We are in the midstof two secular high holy days.I’m not talking aboutthe Super Bowl;that gets no attention from meunless the Pittsburgh Steelers are in it,and they’re not. Again. Rather, I’m talking aboutthe high holy day of romantic love,Valentine’s Day,and it’s made upbut pretty cool sisterGalentine’s Day,which we celebrate today.Thank you, Leslie Knopefrom the sitcom […]Read more “A Love Story for All of Us”

I speak to you in the name of one God: Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. Amen.  While preparing this sermon, it became apparent that no matter how much or how long I try, nothing I say can convey just how much this community means to me: how much I love you and how much you […]Read more “Keep Saying “Yes””

Preached by vestry co-warden, Scottie Warden O god hear the supplications of your people, and grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Even Jesus bombed his first sermon, so praise him for setting the bar incredibly low […]Read more “The Choice of the Good News”

When I last lived in Chicago,  I lived in Andersonville but taught on the Southwest side.  Every morning I drove  the entire length of  Lake Shore Drive to the Eisenhower,  got off at Cicero,  driving past Midway airport to get to school.  No matter what,  this was at least a 45-minute drive. Then, I’d reverse […]Read more “If it isn’t Good News for the Poor, it isn’t Good News”

Years ago a theologian  from University of Chicago said this: “Christians ought to be celebrating constantly. We ought to be preoccupied with parties, banquets, feasts, and merriment. We ought to give ourselves over to joy because we have been liberated from the fear of life and the fear of death. We ought to attract people […]Read more “Popping Champagne”

As many of you know, I recently went to Cancun, Mexico for a beach vacation. For many reasons, the beach has been, and will always be my preferred spot for vacation. The beach, to me, is the perfect place to relax and let the sun and waves literally and metaphorically wash over me—cleansing my body, […]Read more “Baptism of Our Lord”

I speak to you in the name of the One who created us, joined us, and is with us still. Amen. [Singing] O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant . . .     Wait, hold on: [Singing] O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant . . . There’s something wrong here. It’s […]Read more “Christmas Eve | O Come Emmanuel”

“You brood of vipers!”  Just imagine if you arrived each Sunday to church with some thundering indictment like that.  No one wants to be called out as a terrifying looking venomous snake, with deadly fangs, and according to dictionary.com – a word used to describe a malignant, spiteful and treacherous person.  Even my dog Willow […]Read more “What Should We Do?”

O Come, O Come Emmanuel. I speak to you in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,Mother to us all. Amen+True Confession:I’m terrible atpreparing for Christmas.For years, our houseremained bare of decorationsbecause the weeksbefore Christmaswere all about preparingfor finals when I was a teacher,and now that I’m a priest,I’m too busywith church to […]Read more “Who Makes the Paths Straight?”

Advent begins… What comes to mind when you hear the word Advent?  A season of longing, waiting, pregnant expectation, a time of hopefulness, a call to stillness, a time to step back in prayer and preparation as we approach the day when we will once again hear the great news that God so loved the world […]Read more “Advent Begins…”