(Sermon for the Liturgy of Lament and Blessing, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 10/17/2018)
Hashtag why I didn’t report: some field notes from social media.
“I didn’t report because the first time I was under 5.”
“I didn’t report because I have been raised in a society and culture that makes me responsible for the actions of grown men.”
“I didn’t … Read the rest
Continue reading "Of Lament and Blessing" »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
Continue reading "Good News for Bad Soil" »
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
Continue reading "Careful of the Word" »“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
Continue reading "Between Them and Us" »
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
Continue reading "Memories of Camp, Dreams of Heaven" »A few years ago my husband and I hosted our local Episcopal Service Corps Interns—six young adults committed to a year of volunteer service in the Bay Area—at our home for Thanksgiving. Other members of our family were present as well, including our teenage sons. So the meal felt full and festive and everyone seemed to … Read the rest
Continue reading "Keeping Up With Kanterbury" »“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place…”
It’s more than a little bit unsettling when 2000 year-old texts read like last week’s headlines. As I was preparing this sermon, I felt like I should probably be looking over my shoulder the whole time, just in case there were … Read the rest
Continue reading "Apocalypse, Already." »Romans 8:18-25 + Luke 13:18-21
Last Friday afternoon, as I was preparing my sermon for Sunday, I had something of a small-scale panic attack. I was a long way away from home—retreating in Sonoma County—when I discovered that I’d left my reading glasses behind. So there I was, ensconced in the deep shade of the shade of the redwoods, struggling … Read the rest
Continue reading "Sight for Suspect Saints" »
