Give Up: An Ash Wednesday Sermon
want you to know that there is hope at the end of this, there is light at the end of the penitential tunnel, there is peace to be found, there is joy to be embraced, there is glory in our midst. In order to find the hope, light, peace, joy, and glory we must have a shift of perspective and discover the remedy to our heart condition and sin-sick souls.
Miraculous Ministry and the Making of Disciples
What we are learning from Jesus this morning is that the eschatological banquet table–the wedding feast shared between Jesus, the bridegroom, and his people, the bride–will require us to put leaves in the table rather than take them out.
Sermon for Advent 1C
The news cycle, the tragedies of the world, and the Covid pandemic do not, cannot, and will not have the last word: the last word belongs to the Suffering Servant who has redeemed his people.
Sermon for Christ the King Sunday
When Christ is King, the lame walk, the mute talk, the deaf hear, the blind see, the sick are healed, the lepers are cleansed, the demons are cast out, the dead are raised, and broken lives are made new.
Jesus, Greatest Of All Time
Jesus is greater than the sacrifices of IsraelJesus is greater than the angelsJesus is greater than Moses, Abraham, Aaron, and MelchizedekJesus is greater than Israel’s high priestsOne could argue, in contemporary language, that Jesus is the Greatest of All Time. Our image, painted by James Tissot, shows Israel’s “all stars” welcoming Jesus into heaven after the crucifixion. Jesus is the GOAT.
Stay Salty, My Friends
nature of a covenant. No wonder Jesus is a priest in the line of Melchizedek forever and that he will reign on David’s throne, forever.
The Baptism of our Lord - Sermon
John isn’t here to simply immerse people in water…he’s here as a herald of the eschaton; he baptizes in the Jordan as a proclamation that YHWH is on the move once more.
Christmas Eve Sermon: Questions and Answers
There will be a time when darkness is replaced by light, when death is replaced by joy, when oppression is replaced by deliverance.There will be a day when peace will reign over the throne of David and his kingdom.There will be a day when the yoke of burden, the rod of the oppressor, and the bar across their shoulders are broken.
Constant Vigilance: A Sermon for Advent 1
We are not awaiting the thief to come in the night. While the second coming might be compared to a thief coming in the night, please remember that we are actually talking about the return of the King, the coming of the One who has a rightful claim to the throne and who will judge all things and put the world to rights. Jesus is coming, both King of kings and Lord of lords, and our call is to prepare our hearts for his return, even as we reflectively prepare to celebrate his birth once more. May we be found faithful and vigilant.
Parking Lot Fender Benders
I would love for you to listen to both of these episodes, but reader-turned-listener beware: my voice can sometimes lead to parking lot fender benders. Listen at your own risk. Buckle your seat belt. Keep both eyes on the road. Let the dulcet tones overwhelm you...happy listening!
The Paradox of the Cross
The liturgical year presents the Church with many opportunities to reflect upon Christ’s work on the cross. On Good Friday we are invited to meditate upon the agony and pain, the love and obedience, the silence and awe of His crucifixion. One typically leaves the Good Friday liturgy full of sorrow and torment mixed with thanksgiving for God’s unrelenting love. We then return to the cross, in a way, on Easter as we come to flower the cross with our own blooms and blossoms, celebrating that what was intended for evil by man was ultimately used for good by God for the life of the whole world.