Blog - Page 23 of 28 - LiftUpYourHearts

Tears of Pain and Power

It’s the tears that really get to me in this story. Everything that the woman does is unexpected: the bold entry into the house of a Pharisee, the weeping, the anointing, the contact with the rabbi’s feet, the loosened hair. The reality and the symbolism of each of these actions is quite extraordinary. Even more so if we … Read the rest

Proceed to Life

Proper 5C
Luke 7:11-17

In my diocesan role, I have the privilege of coordinating the annual confirmation liturgy that happens at Grace Cathedral. Yesterday, more than 140 Christian people were confirmed, which meant that—including with their families and presenters—the Cathedral was quite full. A few days before that, I had mentioned to the Precenter—that is, the resident liturgist on the … Read the rest

Careful of the Word

Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 1:39-57

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, Paul wrote in his beautiful Christocentric letter to the Church in Colosse. Well, yes. May it be true for you and for me. Nevertheless, I find myself wondering if, for young Mary of Nazareth—who so gracefully accepted her unique role as God-bearer—there might have been something of … Read the rest

Worthy of Worship

Proper 4C

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval?” asked the Apostle Paul of the community in Galatia. “Am I trying to please people?”

Twenty-nine years ago this coming Tuesday—as in two days from now—John and I got married. It was a wedding, in all of the glorious messiness that attends such events, with various kinds of drama … Read the rest

Dealing in Purple

Easter 6C

Last June and July the 78^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church was convened in Salt Lake City. You may have heard some of the news from there: Michael Curry was elected our Presiding Bishop, marriage equality was affirmed, the triennial budget was passed with significant new investments in evangelism and racial reconciliation. This was the official … Read the rest

Between Them and Us

Acts 15:7-21

“God made no distinction between them and us.” From our present standpoint it takes some effort to hear how very radical was Peter’s statement at what’s come to be known as the First Council of Jerusalem. But for Luke, who is also the author of Acts, this is the pivot point on which the story of Spirit-inspired expansion … Read the rest

Habits of Heaven

Easter 5C

Last night when I took off my watch before bed, I didn’t leave it where I usually do. That little mistake played havoc with my morning rituals, which is kind of ironic because—since my iphone also tells time—I barely even look at my wristwatch anymore.

Still, the misplaced watch and the consequent search for it unsettled me because … Read the rest

Memories of Camp, Dreams of Heaven

Genesis 2.4b-9
1 Corinthians 15.35-49

“It is not the spiritual that is first,” wrote Paul, “but the physical, and then the spiritual.”

This statement comes at the end of a long list of contrasts between the mortal body and the resurrected body: perishable vs. imperishable, dishonor vs. glory, weakness vs. power. It would be possible to read this as a … Read the rest

Thomas the Obedient

Easter 2C

Complete this sentence. Obey your…

So in our first lesson this morning, we’ve met Peter and the apostles, boldly announcing to the Senhadrin—the central council of religious authorities in Jerusalem—that they obeyed God rather than any human authority. That’s the kind of statement that’s bound to get you into trouble with those same human authorities. And in fact … Read the rest

Take Up Your Towel

Maundy Thursday

For several days last week, I was driving around with a kind of scary black garbage bag in the back of my car. And the bag got a bit scarier every day that it stayed there, because it was full of damp used towels. Towels that came from a service of footwashing. And the feet belonged to the … Read the rest