Texts: Genesis 1: 1-5, 26, 31, Genesis 2: 1-3 (the first, sixth, and seventh days); Exodus 20: 8-11 (“Remember the Sabbath”) What does keeping the Sabbath mean for us today? In a 24/7 world in which competition between corporations and nations enforces economic growth without limit, do any of us still take seriously the fourth … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 16:1-8 (the empty tomb) Easter Sunday confronts us with big issues like the meaning of suffering and death; the nature of resurrection; and the mysteries of eternity. Most ministers choose to hear the story of the empty tomb as told in the Gospel of John on Easter Sunday. That is the version in … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 14 and 15 (the trials and execution of Jesus) Good Friday came early this year. For me, it came on Monday when I heard of the fire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Notre Dame is one of the best-known and loved religious buildings in the world. At 800-years-old, it ranks alongside places … [Read more…]
Text: John 12:1-8 (Jesus is anointed for burial) Are you ready for Good Friday? Lent is a season in which we metaphorically journey with Jesus to Jerusalem and prepare for the passion of Good Friday. This morning on the fifth of six Sundays in Lent, we are almost there. The journey has taken Jesus all … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 15: 11-31 (the Parable of the Prodigal Son) During Lent, we journey to Jerusalem with Jesus. This can feel like a dark season because it ends in Jesus’ death. But the path is illuminated by the light of Easter, which shines back at us. This light is the promise of resurrection. The Parable … [Read more…]
Text: 1 John 4: 7-21 (God is Love) “Let’s talk about love.” That’s the title of a mega-platinum album released by Celine Dion in 1997 and of a single from that album written by Bryan Adams. It’s also how I think about church. For me, church at its best is a never-ending conversation about love. … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 4:1-13 (Jesus tempted in the wilderness) Lent is supposed to be a season of silence, fasting, and prayer. As in today’s story of Jesus in the wilderness, we are invited to spend the 40 days and nights of Lent in contemplation with just the Holy Spirit, and perhaps the devil, for company. This … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 6: 17-26 (the beatitudes and woes) Why do we value truth? Doesn’t lying help one gain power, fame, and fortune? Lying sometimes plays a part in politics, and racism provides an illustration. Most of us believe that no one race is better than any other, and many of us are aware of the … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 9: 28-36 (Jesus is transfigured) * why Transfiguration today? See below Last Sunday, Kim and I attended an Anglican service in Puerto Vallarta. It might seem odd that we spent time in worship while enjoying a week at a delightful all-inclusive resort in Mexico, but I appreciated the experience. Part of it was … [Read more…]
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (“foolish wisdom”) Paul’s words from First Corinthians that we just heard remind us that following Jesus is an unconventional choice. Some even see it as a foolish or absurd one. Conventional wisdom supports values like patriotism and obedience. It is about fitting in to get along. And for centuries, Christian churches … [Read more…]