Holy Cross Day – September 14, 2019 – John 12:31-36a – St. Mary’s Convent, Sewanee The cross is everywhere. Signed on our foreheads, across our chests, and on our hands. Laid in our stonework, etched into our windows, and even baked right into our communion bread. The cross is the Christian symbol, and for good reason: Jesus died … Continue reading Holy Cross Day
Tag: Jesus
Saturday in Proper 17C – September 7, 2019 – Luke 6:1-5 – St. Mary’s Convent, Sewanee “One sabbath while Jesus was going through the cornfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful on … Continue reading Feeding on the grace of God
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost – August 11, 2019 – Isaiah 1:1,10-20 – Trinity, Winchester I invite you to listen to this sermon here. As Christians, we say that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but it’s not always clear exactly what that means. There are many answers. For instance, scripture is a record of … Continue reading The work God has given you to do
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – August 4, 2019 – Luke 12:13-21 – Christ Church, Alto I’ve always thought this was one of Jesus’ more straightforward parables. Thinking only of himself and his future, a rich man stores up treasures on earth. Then, when he dies suddenly, God calls him a fool and asks, “The things you have … Continue reading Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene (transferred) – July 23, 2019 – John 20:11-18 – St. Mary’s Convent, Sewanee Today’s gospel lesson is the same one that was read at my grandmother’s funeral in April. As all good Episcopalians know, the rite of Christian burial is a service of resurrection. Grandma was a Methodist, but she knew … Continue reading Take him by the hand
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – July 21, 2019 – Luke 10:38-42 – Christ Church, Tracy City This week I was reminded of what the preaching professor at The School of Theology always told us: when you preach, he said, you do so to a particular audience in a particular context. Broad-sweeping generalizations will never do. Each preaching … Continue reading The one about Mary & Martha
Tuesday in Proper 10C – July 16, 2019 – Matthew 11:20-24 – St. Mary's Convent, Sewanee It seems Jesus’ ministry isn’t going so well. All the ground he’s trod, all the sermons he’s preached, all the miracles he’s performed, and folks in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum still don’t get it. He is understandably frustrated, perhaps because he … Continue reading Discovering Repentance
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – July 14, 2019 – Luke 10:25-37 – Trinity, Winchester I invite you to listen to me preach this sermon here. You already know the story. It’s one of the Gospel’s most familiar. For this reason some teachers of preaching might even say, “Skip it! Focus on the Old Testament lesson. Try … Continue reading Love. Your. Neighbor.
Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 23, 2019 – Luke 8:26-39 – Trinity, Winchester It’s that time again: Ordinary Time! We’ve made it to the Second Sunday after Pentecost. Last Sunday was of course, Trinity Sunday. After two principal feasts in a row, it is perhaps fitting that this morning is a bit more subdued. We … Continue reading The devil you know
Wednesday in Proper 6C – June 19, 2019 – Matthew 6:1-6,16-18 – St. Mary's Convent, Sewanee It’s been almost a week since I last saw you, and we’re still hearing from the “Sermon on the Mount.” Today Jesus instructs us not to practice our piety before others. He gives us three examples of what not to do, and … Continue reading Faithful response to God
