Text: Luke 1:57-80 (the birth of John the Baptist) The joys of Christmas come easily to my mind – things like family meals, expressions of love and affection, child-like delight in trees and candles, gift-giving, music, chocolates. But Advent joy can seem more elusive. Kim and I experienced an afternoon filled with what I call … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:26-38 (the birth of Jesus foretold) — Context: a service focusing on reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations What would you say is the most pressing issue facing Canada’s First Nations? Someone like me who often has his head in the clouds might answer by suggesting things like climate change or the threat of … [Read more…]
Text: Luke 1:1-25 (the birth of John the Baptist foretold) One of the ideas that I’m discussing with the Ministry and Personnel Committee for a sabbatical in 2019 is a silent retreat. I have never experienced one, although I know several people who speak highly of them. I am investigating two Catholic centres, one in … [Read more…]
Text: John 18:33-38 (“What is truth?”) The conversation between Jesus and Pilate in today’s reading has a modern ring to it. Pilate is the Roman governor in Jerusalem, and he is interrogating Jesus on the day we call Good Friday. Pilate asks Jesus if he is a king. But instead of answering the question directly, … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 13:1-8 (the destruction of the Temple) “When the Bible is historically accurate, it is so only by accident.” So said Northrop Frye, the famous literary critic and United Church of Canada minister. He continued: “reporting was not of the slightest interest to the writers of the Bible. The writers of the Bible had … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 12:28-34 (the greatest commandment) The Greatest Commandment, Jesus says, is to love God and neighbour. Today, on the centennial of the end of World War One, I remember how some of our ancestors were able to obey this commandment even in the terrible circumstance of war. Loving one’s neighbours is never more challenging … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 12:38-44 (a poor widow’s offering) Last year when I turned 60, I started thinking more seriously about retirement. I calculated the savings Kim I have; thought about the best time to apply for CPP; estimated the value of the house where we live; and wondered how long we might live in it. But … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 10:46-52 (a blind beggar gains sight) One of my favorite public commentators, the food critic and writer Michael Pollan recently wrote about a moment of enlightenment. In that moment, he said he was lifted out of his ego and was able to appreciate beauty and truth in a way undisturbed by his usual … [Read more…]
Text: Mark 10:35-45 (a second baptism) Does spiritual growth have to involve suffering? Does following Jesus always imply pain and loss? In the conversation involving James, John and Jesus that we heard today, Jesus uses the metaphors of cup and baptism. He is not talking about an everyday drinking cup or about his baptism in … [Read more…]
Text: Matthew 6:25-33 (“the birds of the air”) As a child, I was charmed by the words of Jesus we just heard. He says that we should be like birds and wildflowers that neither worry nor toil. But despite the charm of this image, I wonder about it. Birds are hardly idle. Most of the … [Read more…]