Shifting Perspective: A Sermon for Transfiguration Sunday 2022 on Luke 9:28-43a
What if witnessing or experiencing some sort of Transfiguration is what allows us to do the work of bringing Divine Love into the world?
Discipleship
The Challenge of Love: A Sermon on Luke 6:27-38 for Epiphany 7C
How do we as followers of Jesus reclaim this command to love our enemies and treat others as we wish to be treated?
Blessings and Woes: A Sermon on Luke’s Beatitudes for Epiphany 6C
These words are too easily put in service to the Empire rather than the work of liberation.
Mirror, Mirror
Mirrors are helpful most of the time. We benefit from being able to make sure that we look “presentable” before going into public spaces. Sometimes, though, the mirror reveals unpleasant truths. I’m not talking about the distortions I see in the mirror; I know these are false. I’m referring more to the metaphoric mirror, the kind of mirror Nathan held up to David. The one that shows our character flaws and reflects our sins clearly. This kind of mirror is a rare and true gift, if we are brave enough to gaze into it.
Jonah, Jesus, and Whale Puke
I love the story of Jonah. It’s so human and gives me hope. God called Jonah to go tell the people of Nineveh to repent. Jonah didn’t want to because he thought the Ninevites deserved to be punished for their sins, and he knew God well enough to know that God would be merciful if … Read More
Unfortunate Truths
In the season of Epiphany it is appropriate to be seeking revelations of God’s presence and God’s engagement with the world. Sometimes it is much more clear where God’s work is not being done. I’ve seen a lot of this in recent days. Then I hear the unthinkable – people who engage in terrorist activities … Read More
Simple (and nearly impossible) Requirements
This post originally appeared on RevGalBogPals as the Revised Common Lectionary Post on January 28, 2020. I have been thinking a lot about discipleship these days. It’s not a word that progressive, predominantly white churches are all that comfortable with. Yet, with the lectionary moving from the Magi showing up to pay homage to Jesus … Read More
Call Me Grateful (Mostly)
When I was very young, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I loved the beach in all seasons and collecting shells and rocks and discovering the names of them was one of the great joys of my early life. Then someone told me that in order to be a marine biologist I would have … Read More
No Turning Back
Following Jesus, true discipleship, is not for the feint of heart. Jesus is not of a fan of the familiar, routine, or status quo. Jesus likes to challenge assumptions, rouse the rabble, and provoke the powerful with truth. Once you put your hand on this particular plough, there is no turning back. It just isn’t … Read More
Letting Go and Showing Up
If I say that there is something missing in Mainline churches today, I’m not expressing a new thought. I’m merely echoing church critics everywhere. If I say that I’m tired of the things that divide us – religion and politics – I’m just adding my voice to a lot of others whose exhaustion might be … Read More