Jesus Archives - Page 11 of 14

Good News for Bad Soil

When I was just out of college I spent a year volunteering with Habitat for Humanity at its headquarters in the rural south. I was mostly doing construction work outside, so the pervasive Georgia red dirt found its way into every pore. But I was young and hopeful, so I was kind of proud of the grime that … Read the rest

Sanctuary/Santuario

Proper 7C

Where is your safe place?
¿Dónde está su refugio?

The prophet Elijah, running for his life from the King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, sought safety in a cave on Horeb, the holy mountain of God.

El profeta Elías, corriendo por su vida del rey Acab y la reina Jezabel, busco refugio en una cueva en el Horeb, el … Read the rest

Tears of Pain and Power

Proper 6C

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

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

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

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

How Much Is Too Much?

Lent 5C

How much are we willing to give?

Just a week ago today I might have said that I had given it all I had. That’s because last weekend I had the privilege of serving the almost 60 high schoolers who took part in our annual diocese wide “Happening” retreat. For those of you who don’t yet know about … Read the rest

Waiting on Gospel Wine

Epiphany 2C

Three weeks ago yesterday I was at a wedding. At The Bishop’s Ranch, which is a pretty special thing because the Ranch normally doesn’t host weddings. For those of you who may not yet be familiar with it, The Bishop’s Ranch is an Episcopal camp and retreat center in the heart of the Sonoma County wine country. … Read the rest